The country is in the middle of its worst financial crisis since independence in 1980. A 70 percent increase in the price of fuel has caused strikes on the outskirts of Harare and threats of violence if the government doesn’t rescind the move. Protesters are demanding that bus fares, which have also increased dramatically, be reduced. In other developments, an escalation of violence against white farm owners has occurred because the militant leader of land occupations died of malaria and AIDS complications. The situation is likely to remain tense.
