I generally avoid talking about politics on the blog, but I just received an email from Avaaz.org, which (for those who don't already know) are an admirable bunch of people that are actively petitioning and raising awareness against various important global issues.

Their email today was about the crazy events that have taken place in Zimbabwe over the weeks building up to and after the presidential elections. Who knows whether their petition and ad campaign will actually have any impact, but i would like to think that it is definitely worth trying.

I strongly urge all of our members (and anyone else reading this!) to sign the petition.

On Friday, 27th June, Zimbabwe will hold a cruel sham of a vote for President. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has just withdrawn from the run-off -- not in a concession of victory, but rather in recognition that Mugabe's campaign of violence and terror has erased any hope for a democratic election. Africa can't let this go on -- it's time for us to act.

Against the odds, hope survives -- amidst growing international and African pressure, Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition continue private talks. A unity government may be possible yet.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously held on Monday that free and fair elections are now impossible in Zimbabwe. The UN Secretary-General spoke out. But it is African leaders like Thabo Mbeki who hold the key. Even Mugabe cannot cling to power without their cooperation. Today, we're launching an emergency campaign, petitioning these leaders to call an immediate summit, isolate Mugabe, and broker a legitimate government for Zimbabwe. We aim to publish our call in big newspaper advertisements including in South Africa, Tanzania, Angola and Mozambique this week -- click here to see the ads and endorse their message, then spread the word:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_zimbabwe/8.php?cl=101339903

Robert Mugabe saved Zimbabwe from colonialism. Now it's time for African leaders to save Zimbabwe from him. Zimbabwe's neighbours supply its electricity and goods, and control the borders. Many Southern African leaders are already calling for the postponement of the election -- but there's a real danger that they will end up accepting this charade. And if Mugabe succeeds in his de facto coup, Zimbabwe's implosion will accelerate, and chaos could spread throughout the region.

Our campaign will publicly name those African leaders who hold Mugabe's last remaining lifeline. If they step up strongly now, they can convince enough of Mugabe's officials that change is coming one way or another -- and set the stage for Morgan Tsvangirai to lead a unity government to pull Zimbabwe back together.

Help us raise 250,000 voices this week, including a great roar from every country in Africa, to be delivered in an immediate multi-country ad campaign. Click to see the ads, sign, and then forward this message to friends:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_zimbabwe/8.php?cl=101339903

With hope and determination,
Ricken, Ben, Graziela, Alice, Veronique, Pascal and all the Avaaz.org team