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Zimbabwe Military Threatens To 'Deal With' Social Media-Powered Protesters (reuters.com)

Things are not looking good in Zimbabwe. Amid tensions between the citizens and longtime president Robert Mugabe, the country's army commander said today that his soldiers will "deal with threats" from activists using social media to mobilize anti-government protests, the first time the military has commented on the demonstrations. Reuters reports: Lieutenant-General Valerio Sibanda, the Zimbabwe National Army Commander, said in an interview with state-owned The Herald newspaper that social media activism was cyber warfare that the army would deal with. Neither the army, which has anchored President Robert Mugabe's 36-year rule, nor the police force have been paid on time since June. Zimbabwe has seen several protests in recent months with unemployment above 80 percent, dollar shortages worsening as commodity prices slumped and as the region suffers its worst drought for 25 years. The largest anti-government protest in Zimbabwe in the last decade was organized on social media last month, when a strike by #ThisFlag movement shut down businesses. "As an army, at our institutions of training, we are already training our officers to be able to deal with this new threat we call cyber warfare where weapons -- not necessarily guns but basically information and communication technology -- are being used to mobilize people to do the wrong things," Sibanda said.

56 comments

  1. Scary times by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    this new threat we call cyber warfare where weapons -- not necessarily guns but basically information and communication technology

    Information and communication being classified as a weapon is not a good sign.

    1. Re:Scary times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Information and communication being classified as a weapon is not a good sign.

      perhaps it is a good thing when stuff like nuclear codes and deployment information are treated as weapons

      "now"? since when have governments considered it okay to transmit their secrets? they have ALWAYS treated information as a weapon

    2. Re:Scary times by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 1

      Information and communication being classified as a weapon is not a good sign.

      I get what you're saying, but what about things like counterintelligence, false flags, incitement to violence, etc.?

      --
      Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    3. Re:Scary times by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 2

      perhaps it is a good thing when stuff like nuclear codes and deployment information are treated as weapons

      "now"? since when have governments considered it okay to transmit their secrets? they have ALWAYS treated information as a weapon

      Are those the kinds of information that are being transmitted in Zimbabwe?

    4. Re:Scary times by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I get what you're saying, but what about things like counterintelligence, false flags, incitement to violence, etc.?

      Those types of things are already covered by laws in most countries. I believe TFS stated they've been ruled by the same person for 36 years. Do you believe this move is to protect the citizenry? Or the president?

    5. Re:Scary times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are those the kinds of information that are being transmitted in Zimbabwe?

      if the dissidents are communicating with each other, then yes, they are exchanging "weapons"

    6. Re:Scary times by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 1

      if the dissidents are communicating with each other, then yes, they are exchanging "weapons"

      So people who disagree with the government should not be allowed to communicate with each other? And the mere act of communicating with each other to organize a protest is classified as a weapon in your mind? Do you seriously classify communications used to organize a protest on the same level as nuclear launch codes? While I can see how a ruler whose ideals run contrary to the populous could see it that way, I also believe that in such a case they are no longer fit for such a position.

      If Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton get elected (I'm sure one will), it's highly unlikely the majority of the country will agree with either 100% of the time. Should the full weight of the US military be brought to bear against anyone who talks about organizing a protest?

      From TFS:

      ...the country's army commander said today that his soldiers will "deal with threats" from activists using social media to mobilize anti-government protests

      The national army (not the police force) is going to consider the citizens of the country a threat because they disagree with their leader(s). You actually support this?

    7. Re:Scary times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not the AC you replied to nor do I agree with what he is saying; however, you really are comparing two completely different nations with different standards for what is "okay". I also didn't take what they were saying to mean that they supported the behavior, but rather they could see where the leaders of Zimbabwe were coming from when talking about their nation.

      I think most educated people can agree that a despot in a third world country that has ruled for 36 years through tyranny and military strength alone isn't "fit" for the position. What we think, however, is irrelevant unless you want to go change it yourself or are expecting some kind of outside intervention. I'm IN the military and I don't think we should be the world police. If we want change in that country, it has to be a concentrated effort and even then I don't think there's a reason to interfere. You could argue that this was a human rights violation according to Art. 19 & 20 of the UN universal declaration of Human Rights [un.org]. So we will most likely see something come from this on the side of the UN if they see this as a human rights violation. I'm actually a little surprised that no action has been taken against Zimbabwe previously. Then again, their economy is trash and there is probably nothing of value to gain from punishing them.

  2. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It's blacks continuing the oppression instigated by their former white colonial masters. The root cause of these problems was white people oppressing blacks, and the state they left these countries in when they pulled out.

  3. What Did Zimbabwe Use For Light Before Candles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Electricity.

  4. Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by DatbeDank · · Score: 2

    When it comes to most of these protests, i'm doubtful of the authenticity of their complaints. Most of the protests you see around the west are astroturfed by well-funded NGOs as the personal playthings of the monied billionaires of the world. Zimbabwe might be different though given that fact that I have a billion dollar note sitting on my desk from them.

    The real question that should be asked, who did Mugabe annoy in the West that is now organizing these protests?

    1. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      As a South African who has to deal with half of Zim lying around jobless on our street corners I can assure you the protests are real.

    2. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When it comes to most of these protests, i'm doubtful of the authenticity of their complaints. Most of the protests you see around the west are astroturfed by well-funded NGOs as the personal playthings of the monied billionaires of the world. Zimbabwe might be different though given that fact that I have a billion dollar note sitting on my desk from them.

      The real question that should be asked, who did Mugabe annoy in the West that is now organizing these protests?

      your implication is that the locals are too stupid to fight for the own freedom

      racist much?

    3. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ignorant troll

    4. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A trump has a jet. A ellison has an island (Lana'i). A rothschild has a country (israel). Whatever these people want, they get it.

    5. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      as the personal playthings of the monied billionaires of the world

      Nah, the billionaires fund the various armed rebel groups in hoping to gain access to natural resources via getting their man in charge.

      The real question that should be asked, who did Mugabe annoy in the West that is now organizing these protests?

      How about the Zimbabwean opposition? 80% unemployment and 25 years of drought is enough to set up anybody just about anything. Or are we going to the Troll Factory with this line of thought?

    6. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ".. as the region suffers its worst drought for 25 years."

      Not 25 years of drought, just the worst since one 25 years ago.

    7. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Zim did not have 25 years of drought, the place was pretty verdant the last time I was there a few years ago

    8. Re:Soros/Astroturf sponsored? by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I have a billion dollar note sitting on my desk from them.

      You are but a mere peasant I have on of the 100 trillion dollar bills. Although I still need to find one of these as 100,000,000,000,000 just doesn't compare to 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 even if there aren't that many 0s on the pengo note.

      --
      Time to offend someone
  5. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's how its taught in schools, but evolution is taught there too, and we all know that its a lie, don't we. The truth is that white people never oppressed blacks, it was the black leaders who gave up the freedom of some of their serfs willingly so that they could smoke tobacco and get some mirrors. It was a deal. Not a moral one, because back in europe he could have gotten far more tobacco for his serfs, but deal is deal.

  6. If tRump becomes our ruler... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    he will do this here to us because he hates people that can read, and nearly everyone that can use the Internet can read so he hates us as a group. Hates us as a group.

    1. Re: If tRump becomes our ruler... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Repiblicans have already killed more than a million Internet users this year. They want us to die. Never vote for a Republican.

    2. Re: If tRump becomes our ruler... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Any vote for a Republican is suicide.

    3. Re: If tRump becomes our ruler... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A vote for a republican is a vote to end the Internet.

  7. Re:American lardasses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I like the fat ones personally. It's harder for them to run away.

  8. It's about time the army does something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    These vicious internet trolls are constantly poking fun at the righteous, fearless and wise President and Commander at-arms, Robert Mugabe.

    I for one welcome the army's involvement to enforce law, order and civility.

    #MugabeForever

    1. Re:It's about time the army does something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The only solution is for Mugabe to kill them all. Once all the people are dead and only the government remains, they must commit suicide in his honor. He will be the last and greatest President of Zimbabwe.

  9. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    retard

  10. Off topic by lesincompetent · · Score: 1

    Is this the same Sibanda? https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  11. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you fucking idiot

  12. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    the problem is Africa, not whites or blacks, its harsh and doesn't have enough value to merit the investment in infrastructure, Africa should just be turned into 1 giant wildlife preserve with and Abandoned by humans.

  13. Zimbabwe is still a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Slow news day in Africa maybe?

  14. Social media, the dark side by fuzzyf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Everyone praised twitter and facebook during the "Arab Spring". Now the people had control and could organise protests and campaigns at will.
    Now we are starting to see the dark side of Social Media.

    The possibility to find and neutralize people who disagrees with those in power is unprecedented. This is in Zimbabwe, but think of the resources for other countries with more... uhm.. direct link.. to these companies.

    1. Re:Social media, the dark side by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...the dark side of Social Media

      Let's just call it the immaturity of social media. It used to be hard to communicate even when there was no censorship. Now, we communicate easily unless there is censorship. In the future, there will be more options, and it will be even easier to route around censorship. Eventually, censorship will be recognized as pointless and we will shift toward decentralized services.

  15. Information Warfare by Captain+Scurvy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The Internet has definitely made it easier for people to organize against despotic regimes. And it's understandable that despots would find this threatening. It is a hell of a lot harder to figure out whose door to kick in when people don't advertise their real identities. And it's harder to stomp out dissident meetings when participants don't do their planning from any single location.

  16. I have a better idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why not try to find Prince Alibaba-shibubu and try to get back those missing rupees?

    1. Re:I have a better idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why not try to find Prince Alibaba-shibubu and try to get back those missing rupees?

      Link stole them

  17. Just one thing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mugabe needs to get got.

  18. Boat Anchor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    President Robert Mugabe is a boat anchor, a chain around the neck of Zimbabwe. He had the opportunity to be another Nelson Mandela and he blew it.

    Now they need to get rid of him. Zimbabwe can never be great, or even good, with Robert Mugabe in charge. He's just another African Big Man, a dictator working for himself at the expense of others.

    1. Re:Boat Anchor by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

      Just getting rid of Robert Mugabe would help Zimbabwe about as much as getting rid of Kim Jong Il helped North Korea...he's at the center of the problem but is far from the entirety of it.

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  19. THIS IS USA GOVERNMENT PIPE DREAM FANTASY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They wish you would let them have this control in USA.

    1) destroy the currency, done.
    2) influence the military to choose the government snakes over their own families and friends, can not be done.

    In Zimbabwe maybe they just think of each other's life as cheap. In USA it is different.

    Try to take the guns away spooks. One by one and in groups you go to Hell. Even Mexican Marines will kill you lying fucks.

    1. Re:THIS IS USA GOVERNMENT PIPE DREAM FANTASY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

      Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah
      Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah

      Jordan's river is deep and wide, Hallelujah
      And I've got a home on the other side, Hallelujah

      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

      Michael's boat is a music boat, Hallelujah
      Michael's boat is a music boat, Hallelujah

      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

      The trumpets sound the jubilee, Hallelujah
      The trumpets sound for you and me, Hallelujah

      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
      Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

    2. Re:THIS IS USA GOVERNMENT PIPE DREAM FANTASY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      River Jordan chilly and cold, Hallelujah
      Chills the body, but not the soul, Hallelujah

  20. Re: Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Life is cheap there. It is a nice place to visit.

  21. "Things are not looking good in Zimbabwe." by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This statement is true pretty much every year after Mugabe took over the presidency...

  22. Excellent way to DDOS Mugabe supporters by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    When they put down their cell, post stuff on social media using their apps, and have their own people "remove" them from existence.

    Including when they sleep.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  23. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sounds exactly like a black problem.

    Whites prospered, built amazing infrastructure, the chinese will too. How many years of excuses do you need before recognizing the people are the problem?

  24. Fuck Zimbabwe by drew_92123 · · Score: 0

    Nobody gives a single fuck about the petty illogical bullshit going on there... because they're all too busy searching for Pokemon...

  25. Re:Africa by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

    So why is it that Indians learned about legal systems and railroad building from their colonial masters, while the Zimbabweans learned how to be thugs?

  26. Social media is ineffective there anyway by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

    Because in Zimbabwe, your monthly broadband payment is a wheelbarrow load of those hundred-trillion-dollar bills.

    https://www.google.com/search?...

    1. Re:Social media is ineffective there anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because in Zimbabwe, your monthly broadband payment is a wheelbarrow load of those hundred-trillion-dollar bills.

      https://www.google.com/search?...

      The Zimbabwean dollar was abandoned as of April 2009, after which a multicurrency system was adopted.

      In other words, your statement is wrong unless you are hailing us from 2009

  27. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Aww, poor little racist bigot is butt hurt about his tiny dick, so talks to himself on Slashdot.

  28. Re:Africa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The problem Zimbabwe is experiencing is only exacerbated by that "amazing infrastructure".