Zimbabwe Braces for Strike

After a court yesterday refused to force the publication of general election results, Zimbabwe's opposition leader has once again called for a general strike. The party of Morgan Tsvangirai, who has declared victory over President Robert Mugabe, is advocating a "mass stay-in until the results are released." But with unemployment at 80%, the effectiveness of the job action is unclear, reports the BBC.

Police have called the strategy a way to "agitate for violence," and have warned that "those who breach the peace will be dealt with severely." Already 200 activists in Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change have been assaulted and one has died, according to a party spokesman. Amid increasing tension in the troubled nation, Tsvangirai has sought refuge in neighboring Botswana. (More Zimbabwe stories.)