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 HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The African Union on Friday sidestepped international demands to act against a so-called urban renewal campaign in Zimbabwe that has left as many as 1.5 million people homeless, while President Robert Mugabe defiantly congratulated police on the operation.
Police have torched and bulldozed tens of thousands of homes in the monthlong drive to destroy shantytowns, street markets and even vegetable gardens planted by impoverished city dwellers at a time of acute food shortages.
Addressing a police graduation ceremony Thursday, Mugabe said the campaign known as Operation Murambatsvina, or "Drive Out Trash," was wiping out havens for criminals and black-market profiteers. State radio quoted him Friday as saying he was "happy that a new breed of organized entrepreneurs will emerge."
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