No, that’s not a joke. It is however, the most absurd thing I’ve ever read about. How in the world other African nations elected Zimbabwe, of all places, to have anything to say about a sustainable economy is beyond me. Unless they plan on talking about everything they did with a “Here’s what not to do” clause, they don’t have much to offer. Zimbabwe is in a terrible economic condition and it’s just getting worse and worse. A loaf of bread will cost you about 6,000.00 Zim dollars (about 0.34c USD). Inflation reached an outrageous 1000% at one point in 2006, but continued to increase and is currently the world’s highest inflation rate at 2,200%! Yes, 2,200%! Most recently, electricity in Zim is being limited to four hours a day between 4pm and 9pm. Need electricity any other time? Too bad. The unemployment rate is at 80%. How, in anything but the twilight zone, can the Zim leaders talk about economic development?

Regardless of the politics or the disregard for human rights in the country, the idea that Zim is heading up anything to do with the development of a sustainable economy is utterly laughable. Years ago, no doubt, they would have had a lot to offer. They were one of the richest and most developed countries in Africa. Today it’s a very different, and tragic, story.