I love the smell of dictatorship in the morning...

Zimbabweans marked the 28^th anniversary of their country’s independence on Friday with protests over the continued election crisis. Amnesty International released a report cataloguing incidents of state-sponsored violence, and multiple other reputable sources, including Human Rights Watch, are warning that “torture and violence are surging in Zimbabwe,” with supporters of the opposition MDC party as the target. New Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga wants to discuss the crisis with the Kenyan Cabinet and the African Union—hopefully to apply lessons learned from Kenya’s own election crisis.

But who isn’t joining the chorus of condemnation over the rising violence? Well, yes, Thabo Mbeki, but we knew that already. Give up? It’s CHINA! Of course! China to the rescue of an endangered dictatorship, once again. A Chinese ship carrying 77 tons of weaponry for the Zimbabwean military arrived at port in Durban and received a permit from the South African government to transport the arms through the country—first, dock workers refused to unload the cargo (bravo!), then a South African court told the ship to turn around and go the hell home. (Not the exact terminology.) Luckily, South African judges have a stronger sense of moral responsibility than their president. However, the ship is reportedly bound for a port in Mozambique. Let’s hope they have the same good judgment.

The ZEC launched a recount of 23 precincts, which the MDC claims is bogus.

In other news: Renewed fighting between the government and a rebel group in Burundi once again has civilians caught in the crossfire, jeopardizing the country’s 2006 peace agreement.