There is no template, but there is solidarity.

After being in power for 30 years, President Robert Mugabe shows no sign of loosening his grip on Zimbabwe. The last election was violent, many were tortured, imprisoned, and killed. And the outlook for a future election is not good.

This article in the NYT lays out some of the warning signs this time around.

In Mashonaland West, Mr. Mugabe’s home province, people said they were already being warned by local traditional leaders loyal to Mr. Mugabe that the next election would be more terrifying than the last one, when their relatives were abducted and attacked after Mr. Tsvangirai won some constituencies.

“They say, ‘We were only playing with you last time,’ ” said one 53-year-old woman, too frightened to be quoted by name, repeating a warning others in the countryside have heard. “ ‘This time we will go door to door beating and killing people if you don’t vote for ZANU-PF.’ ”

Mugabe has been in power far too long and it is worsening the situation in Zimbabwe. On top of worrying about feeding their children, sending them to school, finding jobs, and every-day things... the people of Zimbabwe also fear threats of violence.

“There’s no template about the solution to the Zimbabwe crisis,” he said. “We have learned this over the last 10 years. There is no template for how we’re going to deal with Mugabe.”

There may not be a template for how to deal with Mugabe and the crisis in Zimbabwe, but there are things we can do. Even from thousands of miles away. Even physically removed from the situation, we can stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. We can spread the word about what is happening. I hope that the news continues to cover the situation in Zimbabwe so that Mugabe knows the world is watching. You can spread the word by telling your friends and family, writing about it on your blog, sharing links and information on Facebook....

Solidarity: arising from common responsibilities and as between members of a group or between classes, peoples, etc.

Let's make sure that the people of Zimbabwe know that they are not alone in their fight for justice and fair treatment. Stay informed about what is going on and spread the word. Voices are powerful. The more voices, the louder the call for what is right.

-The Bag Elves