Zimbabwe

Image:

Short Description:

The Institute's engagement in Zimbabwe aims to document the efforts and roles of the key civil society groups in Zimbabwe and the region that are working to promote a negotiated solution to the crisis; support civil society efforts to resolve the crisis; and work with regional and diaspora groups to prevent or reduce conflict caused by the growing number of Zimbabwean refugees.

Introduction:

After a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2008 between MDC and ZANU-PF laid out the conditions for further engagement, a final political agreement was reached in August 2008. The powersharing agreement retains Mugabe as president, while Tsvangirai is named as prime minister. After a prolonged disagreement over the apportioning of cabinet positions between MDC and ZANU-PF, in February 2009 Tsvengirai was officially sworn in as prime minister.

Map Countries:

Zimbabwe

Featured Resources:

Zimbabwe’s Latest Crackdown: Responses and Consequences [1]

Zimbabwe and the Prospects for Nonviolent Political Change [2]

On the Issues: Zimbabwe [3]

Zimbabwe and the Politics of Torture [4]

Featured Programs:

Managing Political Transitions in Africa [5]

Sustainable Economies [6]

Although the political and economic situations in Zimbabwe have been deteriorating for nearly a decade, they have experienced their most dramatic downturns in recent years. Today, Zimbabweans face inflation rates of more than 165,000 percent and shortage-inducing price controls, the political opposition is marginalized and intimidated, and President Robert Mugabe continues to avoid regional criticism of human rights abuses and political and economic mismanagement. Regional experts estimate that nearly 3 million Zimbabweans have fled to neighboring countries, with the majority going to South Africa. Those remaining behind face increasing economic hardship and political intimidation. The failure to publish the results of the March 2008 general elections in a timely manner resulted in a further political stalemate.

Since Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the MDC did not obtain more than 50% (according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission), a run-off was held in June 2008. The run-off was preceded by violence on such a large scale that Tsvangirai pulled out of the runoffelection. However, the violent tactics employed by ZANU-PF caused an otherwise silent region and continent to begin to seriously engage Zimbabwe and demand a resolution to the political instability. Almost immediately following the run-off, Thabo Mbeki began a bid to forge a political agreement between MDC and ZANU-PF.

The Institute's engagement aims to document the efforts and roles of the key civil society groups in Zimbabwe and the region that are working to promote a negotiated solution to the crisis; support civil society efforts to resolve the crisis; and work with regional and diaspora groups to prevent or reduce conflict caused by the growing number of Zimbabwean refugees.