The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be tenuous as disputes over public rallies leading up to the election on June 27 increase. Recently, the high courts in Zimbabwe overturned a ban on public rallies; however, this has not stopped autonomous, militant groups from acting out against supporters and officials. Reports of violent attacks are coming in from around the country.

The vast majority of violence that has been reported is targeting political supporters, though there are accounts of non-violent opposition against westerners. Most recently, a convoy of diplomatic vehicles from the U.S. and Europe were detained at a roadblock outside the capital city, Harare. The diplomats were taken to a police station where they were held until the U.S. Ambassador negotiated their release.

Zimbabwe, once considered the bread-basket of Africa, has suffered enormously over the past decade and seen their economy emerge as the worst in the world. Inflation is placed at 1.3 million percent, and unemployment rates have skyrocketed to 70%. Compounding the hardship the nation is already facing, a recent government mandate froze field operations for foreign aid agencies and has put an estimated 2 million Zimbabweans at immediate risk of starvation.

The devastation and depravity of the people of Zimbabwe has provided an open door for NMSI's missionaries to bring hope. We are in communication with all of our people currently in Zimbabwe and are continually assessing the situation and opportunities to accomplish the ministry God has called them to.

For the first time since it gained its independence, Zimbabwe’s ruling party (ZANU-PF) did not receive a majority of votes during elections in March of this year. However, because the winner, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), did not receive more than 50% of the votes, the Zimbabwean constitution mandates a presidential runoff scheduled for June 27. Both sides have claimed crimes against them and their supporters during the weeks preceding this month’s coming election. Outside watchdogs who arrived in country before the original March vote have also been accused of trying to manipulate the situation.

Please continue to lift our workers and the citizens of Zimbabwe up in your prayers. The church body has the opportunity to be a catalyst for hope, reconciliation and salvation long after these events are over.