DOCSLIB.ORG

Zimbabwe Successfully Reintegrate Into the International Community?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Zimbabwe Successfully Reintegrate Into the International Community? How can Zimbabwe successfully reintegrate into the international community? How can Zimbabwe successfully reintegrate into the international community? Steven Gruzd and Aditi Lalbahadur Author bio Steven Gruzd is the head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs. He has an MSc in International Rela- tions from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BA (Hons) from the University of the Witwatersrand. Aditi Lalbahadur is the Programme Manager for SAIIA’s foreign policy work. She has an MLitt (with distinction) from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and a BA (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Natal, Durban. Published by 26 Sandringham Drive - Alexandra Park P.O. Box 4325 Harare, Zimbabwe [email protected] Tel: +263 242 744602 Illustrations, Design & Layout OnaDsgn* [email protected] www.onadsgn.com In this Report Introduction 06 Background 07 Political Zimbabwe’s Zimbabwe’s Key Developments 10 Economy 18 International 26 Relationships Conclusion 40 Executive summary This report seeks to provide a better under- The report briefly examines the November 2017 standing of the dynamics and impediments to coup and the aftermath of the July 2018 elec- improving Zimbabwean relations with other tions, and reflects on the current situation in states, including those in the West. It makes rec- Zimbabwe. It explores both the political and ommendations for ways in which the country economic spheres, given that they are so closely could overcome the current political and intertwined. It looks at efforts to promote national economic impasse to re-engage more success- dialogue, as well as progress and setbacks in Zim- fully against the backdrop of the Zimbabwean babwe’s engagement with other countries – chiefly government’s efforts to build strategic alliances the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), that will support its economic recovery. In July the European Union (EU), China, South Africa and August 2019, researchers from the South and Southern African Development Communi- African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) ty (SADC). At this juncture, Zimbabwe is stuck visited Harare and conducted interviews with 18 in a logjam. Internally, the ruling Zimbabwe stakeholders, including representatives of both African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU major political parties, government officials, PF) is riven by factions and the heavy presence journalists, civil society activists, economists, of the military. The long-time leader of the oppo- and Western and non-Western diplomats. SAIIA’s sition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) fieldwork occurred exactly a year after the 2018 succumbed to cancer on 14 February 2018 and elections. Interviewees were pessimistic about the opposition is still splintered, despite attempts prospects under President Emmerson Mnan- to unify, leaving it in disarray. ZANU PF and the gagwa, and agreed that the mood and morale MDC do not appear to be ready to talk to each of the country was low. The report unpacks Zim- other, and Western donors are refusing to budge babwe’s political and economic landscape and on sanctions until there are genuine, irrevers- the government’s international engagement ible political and economic reforms. This paper strategy, as well as assessing the potential to attempts to understand these dynamics, and explore joint efforts (with the region, and tradi- propose a viable way forward. tional and non-traditional partners) that could support a meaningful political and economic reform agenda in Zimbabwe. How can Zimbabwe successfully reintegrate into the international community? Introduction This report seeks to provide a better understand- that the mood and morale of the country was low. ing of the dynamics and impediments to improv- This report analyses Zimbabwe’s political and ing Zimbabwean relations with other states, in- economic landscape and the government’s in- cluding those in the West. It makes recommen- ternational engagement strategy. It also assesses dations for ways in which the country could the potential to explore joint efforts (with the overcome the current political and economic region, and traditional and non-traditional impasse to re-engage more successfully against partners) that could support a meaningful polit- the backdrop of the Zimbabwean government’s ical and economic reform agenda in Zimbabwe. efforts to build strategic alliances that will support its economic recovery. The report briefly examines the November 2017 coup and the aftermath of the July 2018 elec- In July and August 2019, researchers from the tions, and reflects on the current situation in South African Institute of International Affairs Zimbabwe. It explores both the political and (SAIIA) visited Harare and conducted interviews economic spheres, given that they are so closely with 18 stakeholders, in- intertwined. It looks at efforts cluding representatives to promote national dialogue, as of both major political well as progress and setbacks in parties, government of- “ Zimbabwe’s engagement with ficials, journalists, civil interviewees were other countries – chiefly the US, society activists, econo- pessimistic about UK, EU, China, South Africa and mists, and Western and prospects under the Southern African Develop- non-Western diplomats. President Emmerson ment Community (SADC). In order to foster frank Mnangagwa, and agreed discussions on the situ- At this juncture, Zimbabwe is ation in Zimbabwe and that the mood and morale stuck in a logjam. Internally, the prospects for reinte- of the country was low. the ruling Zimbabwe African gration into the interna- National Union Patriotic Front tional community, all in- (ZANU PF) is riven by factions terviews were conduct- and the heavy presence of the ed on the basis of anonymity. This was sup- military. The long-time leader of the opposition plemented with desk research and interviews Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) suc- conducted in Pretoria and Johannesburg with, cumbed to cancer on 14 February 2018 and the among others, National Treasury, the Tanzani- opposition remain splintered, despite attempts an High Commission and South African analysts to unify, leaving it in disarray. ZANU PF and working on Zimbabwe. the MDC do not appear to be ready to talk to each other and Western donors are refusing to SAIIA’s fieldwork occurred exactly a year after budge on sanctions until there are genuine, ir- the 2018 elections. In the interviews, the inter- reversible political and economic reforms. This viewees were pessimistic about prospects under paper attempts to understand these dynamics President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and agreed and propose a viable way forward. 6 Konrad Adenauer Stiftung www.kas.de/simbabwe How can Zimbabwe successfully reintegrate into the international community? Background On 11 November 1965, the Cabinet of Rhodesia government, to invade and expropriate many of made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence the country’s white-owned commercial farms. from Britain and white minority rule continued These farm invasions, with their violence, disre- for the next 15 years, amidst a protracted lib- gard for property rights and democratic values eration war, with the country facing economic and abrogation of the rule of law, strained rela- sanctions and growing international isolation. tions with traditional partners in the West, par- When Zimbabwe finally achieved indepen- ticularly the UK, the US, the EU, and Common- dence from the UK on 18 April 1980 after this wealth countries such as Australia, Canada and long-standing armed and political struggle – New Zealand. Various restrictive measures and with a transition facilitated through the 1979 sanctions were applied to Zimbabwe as a result. Lancaster House Agreement – it rapidly began to forge diplomatic relations with the rest of the Mugabe railed against the sanctions imposed world.1 It established and maintained various by the EU and US at every opportunity, increas- formal political and commercial ties, prioritis- ing his invective and brinkmanship through the ing Southern Africa and the rest of the African evolution of the political crises in the 2000s. continent. It also extended relations to the UK, This – and an unending string of controversial its former colonial power, the US, European elections – served to simultaneously isolate countries and the forerunners of the European Zimbabwe from the West, while drawing it Union (EU), other Commonwealth countries and closer to states offering an alternative. These its erstwhile allies in the struggle for indepen- included China, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia dence, China and Russia. This represented a and Venezuela. ‘golden phase’ for Zimbabwe’s integration into the world as a newly independent nation. The economy, and particularly the agricultur- al and manufacturing sectors, began to dete- However, this changed rapidly after a stinging riorate, political repression by state forces in- defeat for President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF creased, and millions of Zimbabweans fled the in a referendum on a new constitution in 2000, country, raising tensions with its neighbours. which also coincided with the rise of the oppo- Along with countries like the UK, South Africa sition MDC from the labour movement. Frustra- was the recipient of several hundred thousand tion over the slow pace of land reform led the migrants – both legal and illegal – from its war veterans, with endorsement of the ZANU PF northern neighbour.2
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Domestic Resource Mobilisation and the Quest for Sustainable
    Authored By Gorden Moyo Reviewed & Edited By John Maketo ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE (EGI) REVIEWED & EDITED BY John Maketo (Programmes Manager) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ZIMCODD would like to acknowledge frantic efforts by the Executive Director, Janet Zhou, for providing leadership in this project, the lead researcher for this paper, Gorden Moyo, who worked tirelessly to put the pieces together for this publication. This publication was produced by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development in collaboration with the Economic Governance Initiative Consortium in Zimbabwe comprised of the Transparency International Zimbabwe, Udugu Institute, Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) and the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) REVIEWED & EDITED BY John Maketo (Programmes Manager) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ZIMCODD would like to acknowledge frantic efforts by the Executive Director, Janet Zhou, for providing leadership in this project, the lead researcher for this paper, Gorden Moyo, who worked tirelessly to put the pieces together for this publication. This publication was produced by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development in collaboration with the Economic Governance Initiative Consortium in Zimbabwe comprised of the Transparency International Zimbabwe, Udugu Institute, Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) and the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS Table Of Contents i 4IR - Fourth Industrial Revolution Abbreviations and
    [Show full text]
  • How South Africa Can Nudge Zimbabwe Toward Stability
    How South Africa Can Nudge Zimbabwe toward Stability Crisis Group Africa Briefing N°164 Johannesburg/Nairobi/Brussels, 17 December 2020 What’s new? As Zimbabwe’s political and economic crises worsen, South Africa is moving beyond its policy of “quiet diplomacy” with its northern neighbour and apply- ing more pressure on Harare to open up political space and reform its economy. Why does it matter? With Zimbabwe’s people slipping further into destitution, crackdowns fostering a growing sense of grievance within the opposition, and politi- cal divisions pitting ruling-party members against one another, the country could tip into even greater crisis through mass unrest or another coup. What should be done? Pretoria should press Harare to halt repression and start dialogue with the political opposition to address Zimbabwe’s economic woes. It should work with Washington on a roadmap for reforms that the U.S. and others can use to guide decisions on reversing sanctions and supporting debt relief for Zimbabwe. I. Overview Three years after a coup ended Robert Mugabe’s rule, the situation in Zimbabwe has gone from bad to worse, as political tensions mount, the economy falls apart and the population faces hunger and COVID-19. Having signalled a desire to stabilise the economy and ease repression, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has disappointed. The state is arresting opponents who protest government corruption and incompe- tence. Meanwhile, government-allied businessmen are tightening their grip on what is left of the economy, while citizens cope with austerity measures and soaring infla- tion. Violence and lawlessness are on the rise.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Anti-Corruption Courts
    U4 Brief 2021:3 Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption courts Progress and challenges By Muchaneta Mundopa Series editor: Sofie Arjon Schütte Disclaimer All views in this text are the author(s)’, and may differ from the U4 partner agencies’ policies. Partner agencies German Corporation for International Cooperation – GIZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – BMZ Global Affairs Canada Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark / Danish International Development Assistance – Danida Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – Sida Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – SDC The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation – Norad UK Aid – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office About U4 U4 is a team of anti-corruption advisers working to share research and evidence to help international development actors get sustainable results. The work involves dialogue, publications, online training, workshops, helpdesk, and innovation. U4 is a permanent centre at the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Norway. CMI is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research institute with social scientists specialising in development studies. www.U4.no [email protected] Cover photo amanderson2 (CC by) https://flic.kr/p/JHz4AE Keywords justice sector - anti-corruption courts - anti-corruption institutions - judges - judiciary - Zimbabwe - Sub-Saharan Africa Publication type U4 Brief Creative commons This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) After the ouster of President Mugabe in 2017, Zimbabwe established new, specialised anti-corruption courts that have since expanded to all ten provinces. Specially assigned judges and regional magistrates hear corruption cases, although not exclusively and not following any special procedures.
    [Show full text]
  • Dismantling the System of Mugabeism
    Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. ISBN 978-3-00-059482-3 First Edition © 2018 1 Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism Dedication. To my fellow Zimbabweans, we defeated Mugabe the person but Mugabeism is still intact. We must dismantle this system and bring total democratization of our country Zimbabwe. My children Lilly, Tanaka and Nkosilathi,Jr you don’t deserve to grow up in such a collapsed country which is now a shadow of itself. This is the little contribution I can make towards challenging a regime which is putting your future at stake. ‘This is the history of a failure’ (Che Guevara, The African Dream) 2 Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism Foreword. I feel refreshed and motivated to write this book in this new-old political dispensation. New in the sense that, this is the first time ever since I was born to see this country having another President who is not Robert Gabriel Mugabe and old in the sense that those who are now in power are the same people who have been in charge of this country for the past four decades working alongside Mugabe. Yes Mugabe has gone but the system he created is still intact. Are the Mnangagwas of this world going to reform and become ambassadors of peace, tolerance, democracy and respect of the rule of law? Or they will simply pick up the sjamboks from where Mugabe left them and perpetuate his legacy of brutality? Is corruption going to end considering that a few former Ministers who were arrested by Mnangagwa’s administration were being used as scapegoats, most of the criminals and kleptocrats who committed serious crimes against humanity and corruption are still serving in the post-Mugabe ZANU PF government? The same old people who bled Zimbabwe dry serving in the kleptocratic regime of Robert Mugabe are the same people who are serving under Mnangagwa.
    [Show full text]
  • S1 Supp.Indd
    NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 S1 2 0 1 8 TWouroismr lDda y WTD2018: Using digital tech for tourism development ORLD Tourism Day 2018 is a rate, on a near-constant basis in or- UNWTO unique opportunity to raise der to remain competitive. has partnered with the awareness on the potential In addition, the tourism sector’s contribution of digital tech- cross-cutting nature extends its lev- Hungarian Tourism Agency and the nologies to sustainable tour- el of responsibility to use techno- Foreign Affairs and International ismW development, while providing a platform logical change and digitalisation to for investment, partnerships and collabora- help engender a more economical- tion towards a more responsible and inclusive ly and socially sustainable, inclu- Trade ministry to hold the official tourism sector. sive and environmentally-friendly Digital advances are transforming how we future. celebration of World Tourism Day connect and inform ourselves, transforming — UNWTO our behaviour, and encouraging innovation 2018 in Budapest and sustainable, responsible growth strate- gies. Understanding the growing economic, soci- etal and environmental impacts of technolo- gy and innovation in tourism if our sector is to sustain continuous and inclusive growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals TATENDATATENDA SAFARISSAFARIS of the United Nations. Budapest is a classical European capital committed to the digital future — the perfect stage for this year’s celebration of tourism. Tourism and the Digital Transformation is the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day (#WTD2018). UNWTO is delighted to partner with the Hungarian Tourism Agency and the Foreign Affairs and International Trade ministry to hold the official celebration of World Tourism Day 2018 in Budapest Digitally-advanced tourism sector can im- prove entrepreneurship, inclusion, local com- munity empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other important devel- opment objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Reforms: an Exercise in Credibility
    ISSUE 6 | SEPTEMBER 2016 Southern Africa Report Zimbabwe’s reforms An exercise in credibility – or pretence? Piers Pigou Summary Zimbabwe is again facing major political and economic challenges. Prospects for recovery under the leadership of 92-year-old Robert Mugabe and his chief lieutenants in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front are looking increasingly bleak. The government has publically committed itself to a reform process that is intended to help reconnect to international channels of credit and investment and an underlying confidence in the country’s potential to bounce back remains. The international community supports these endeavours, but convictions are being tested as headway is stymied by a combination of internal and external exigencies that have exposed the limitations of a political leadership desperate to maintain its hegemony, but clearly running out of options. THE ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT claims commitment to a reform agenda that its adherents believe will underwrite its recovery. Yet it faces an increasingly uncertain future, unable to implement this agenda, buffeted by a host of internal and external exigencies. It appears on course for yet another disputed election in 2018. Since its controversial victory in the 2013 polls, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and its leader, 92-year-old Robert Mugabe, have presided over an economic decline that has again brought the country to its collective knees, exacerbating unprecedented turmoil within the ruling party and prospects of further state disintegration. Prospects for recovery that had improved during the government of national unity (2009–2013) have narrowed considerably as social and economic conditions worsen, political uncertainties intensify and the state limps from month to month as finances dry up.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Desartation Ngqabutho.Docx Print.Pdf
    MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA AND SOCIETY STUDIES Crisis Management Communication and Political Communication in the Age of Social Media: A case study of ZANU PF from 2015-2016. By R125041H THIS DISSERTATION IS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES IN MEDIA AND SOCIETY STUDIES HONORS DEGREE. May, 2016 Gweru: Zimbabwe R125041H Crisis Management Communication and Political Communication in the Age of Social Media: A case study of ZANU PF from 2015-2016. ABSTRACT With the increase of people and usage of social media platforms intensification, so does the need for crisis management communication. This research focuses on how ZANU PF uses social media to control its Factional crisis post the Joyce Mujuru eras focusing on Twitter and Facebook as platforms for their public relations response to the political damaging series of events the party experienced from 2015-2016. Additionally, the study looks at how the social media users used Facebook and twitter as a platform to reach out to ZANU PF and air out their concerns on the series of crisis that the party experienced. A content analysis of posts and tweets written in response to the predicaments that befell ZANU PF through this it was developed that ZANU PF officials used the two social networks as a way to reach out and communicate on how the party was making things at the same time social media users from both ZANU PF members and from how opposition parties voiced negative opinions about Many other problems that were being caused by the plague of crisis in identifying how ZANU PF used social media and restoration strategies in the wake of the crisis, it is possible to compare their use to best practices that have developed through academic research and present case studies where social media and restoration strategy was used effectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Appointment of Cabinet Ministers His Excellency the President, Comrade E
    Appointment of Cabinet Ministers His Excellency the President, Comrade E. D. Mnangagwa, has, in terms of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment No. 20 of 2013, appointed Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers as follows: A. Cabinet Ministers 1. Finance and Economic Development Hon. Professor Mthuli Ncube 2. Defence and War Veterans Hon Oppah Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri 3. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Hon. July G. Moyo 4. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Hon. Sibusiso B. Moyo 5. Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Hon. Sekesai Nzenza 6. Industry and Commerce Hon. Mangaliso Ndlovu 7. Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Hon. Cain Mathema 8. Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Hon. Professor Amon Murwira 9. Primary and Secondary Education Hon. Professor Paul Mavima 10. Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Hon. Chief Air Marshal P. Shiri 11. Mines and Mining Development Hon. Winston Chitando 12. Energy and Power Development Hon. Joram M. Gumbo 13. Transport and Infrastructural Development Hon. Joel Biggie Matiza 14. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa 15. Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Hon. Kazembe Kazembe 16. Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Prisca Mupfumira 17. Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Hon. Kirsty Coventry 18. Health and Child Care Hon. Dr Obediah Moyo 19. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi 20. Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Hon. Sithembiso G. G. Nyoni B. Ministers of State for the Provinces 1. Harare ….. 2. Bulawayo Hon. Judith Ncube 3. Mashonaland West Hon. Mary Mliswa 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe April 2002
    Zimbabwe Country Report October 2003 Country Information and Policy Unit Immigration and Nationality Directorate Home Office, United Kingdom Zimbabwe October 2003 CONTENTS 1 Scope of the Document 1.1 - 1.4 2 Geography 2.1 - 2.3 3 Economy 3.1 4 History 4.1 - 4.175 Independence 1980 4.1 - 4.5 Matabeleland Insurgency 1983-87 4.6 - 4.9 Elections 1995 & 1996 4.10 - 4.11 Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 4.12 - 4.13 Parliamentary Elections, June 2000 4.14 - 4.23 - Background 4.14 - 4.16 - Election Violence & Farm Occupations 4.17 - 4.18 - Election Results 4.19 - 4.23 - Post-election Violence 2000 4.24 - 4.27 - By election results in 2000 4.28 - 4.29 - Marondera West 4.28 - Bikita West 4.29 - Legal challenges to election results in 2000 4.30 Incidents in 2001 4.31 - 4.58 - Bulawayo local elections, September 2001 4.48 - 4.52 - By elections in 2001 4.53 - 4.55 - Bindura 4.53 - Makoni West 4.54 - Chikomba 4.55 - Legal Challenges to election results in 2001 4.56 - 4.58 Incidents in 2002 4.59 - 4.94 - Presidential Election, March 2002 4.59 - 4.68 - Background 4.69 - 4.81 - Election Result 4.69 - 4.72 - Rural elections September 2002 4.73 - 4.81 - By election results in 2002 4.82 - 4.89 - Hurungwe West 4.90 - 4.93 - Insiza 4.90 - Kuwadzana 4.91 - Highfield 4.92 - Legal challenges to election results in 2002 4.93 Incidents in 2003 4.94 - Mass Action 18-19 March 2003 4.95 - 4.112 - ZCTU strike 23-25 April 4.113 - 4.129 - MDC Mass Action 2-6 June 4.130 - 4.147 - Mayoral and Urban Council elections 30-31 August 4.148 - 4.164 - Mayor of Harare 4.165
    [Show full text]
  • Geopolitical Monitor
    Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 12/17/2019 3:50:07 PM Geopolitical Monitor Zimbabwe Shows Africa Can Tackle Corruption OPINION - September 3, 2019 By Krishna Na Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo is a soft-spoken legal scholar. Yet she now finds DISSEMINATED BY MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC, A REGISTERED FOREIGN AGENT, ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF ZIMBABWE. MORE INFORMATION IS ON FILE WITH THE DEPT. OF JUSTICE, WASHINGTON, DC Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 12/17/2019 3:50:07 PM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 12/17/2019 3:50:07 PM herself one of the most feared anti-corruption crusaders in Africa. Zimbabwe, a country plagued by rampant corruption for decades, has taken its war on corruption to new levels, and Justice Moyo is leading the charge. Just over a month into her new role as chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Justice Moyo isn’t pulling her punches, with the arrests of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and the Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality, Prisca Mupfumira. Despite being in the president’s cabinet, Mupfumira found her ministerial position mattered little as she was dragged to court on corruption charges involving $95 million from the state pension fund. Mupfumira faces charges of “criminal abuse of duty as a public officer”. Charges include the taking of unauthorized loans from the pension fund to buy a luxury vehicle and to fund her political campaign. But Justice Moyo was not satisfied with merely the arrest of the minister.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe: Stranded in Stasis
    Zimbabwe: Stranded in Stasis Crisis Group Africa Briefing N°118 Johannesburg /Brussels, 29 February 2016 I. Overview Zimbabwe is floundering, with little sign of meaningful reform and sustainable, broad-based recovery. Political uncertainty and economic insecurity have worsened; the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government has consolidated power, as the opposition stumbles, but is consumed by struggles over who will succeed President Robert Mugabe. Upbeat economic projections by inter- national institutions are predicated on government rhetoric about new policy com- mitments and belief in the country’s potential, but there are growing doubts that ZANU-PF can “walk the talk” of reform. Conditions are likely to deteriorate further due to insolvency, drought and growing food insecurity. Economic constraints have forced Harare to deal with international financial institutions (IFIs) and Western capitals, but to regain the trust of donors, private investors and ordinary citizens, the government must become more accountable, articulate a coherent vision and take actions that go beyond personal, factional and party aggrandisement. Mugabe, though 92 and visibly waning, shows no sign of stepping down. His en- dorsement by the December 2015 ZANU-PF national conference to represent the party in the 2018 elections props up a coterie of dependents and defers the divisive succession issue. In the last year, his control has slipped as his energy and capacities diminish, but he is likely to stay in office until he can no longer function. His support for an economic and political reform agenda is tepid. He has limited criticism of reformers but has also not censured elements of his government that are critical, even hostile, to re-engagement with Western countries and financial institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Changing Opposition
    Africa Programme Meeting Transcript Zimbabwe’s Changing Opposition Dr Joice Mujuru President, Zimbabwe People First 6 October 2016 The views expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the speaker(s) and participants, and do not necessarily reflect the view of Chatham House, its staff, associates or Council. Chatham House is independent and owes no allegiance to any government or to any political body. It does not take institutional positions on policy issues. This document is issued on the understanding that if any extract is used, the author(s)/speaker(s) and Chatham House should be credited, preferably with the date of the publication or details of the event. Where this document refers to or reports statements made by speakers at an event, every effort has been made to provide a fair representation of their views and opinions. The published text of speeches and presentations may differ from delivery. © The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2016. 10 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LE T +44 (0)20 7957 5700 F +44 (0)20 7957 5710 www.chathamhouse.org Patron: Her Majesty The Queen Chairman: Stuart Popham QC Director: Dr Robin Niblett Charity Registration Number: 208223 2 Zimbabwe’s Changing Opposition Introduction At the meeting, Dr Joice Mujuru, president of the Zimbabwe People First Party, discussed how opposition politics is changing in Zimbabwe as her party prepares to compete in its first election in 2018. The meeting was held on the record. The following transcript is intended to serve as an aide-memoire for those who took part and to provide a transcript of discussions for those who did not.
    [Show full text]