African Studies
Utafiti: Journal of African Perspectives
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The year was characterised by dramatic swings on the domestic political and economic fronts, and relative stagnation and continuity in foreign affairs. ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) continued its political dominance. It won some crucial by-elections and enacted some controversial legislation. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) stuck to its resolve not to recognise the legitimacy of President Mugabe. The free fall in the economy slowed down considerably, prompting government to proclaim that the worst was over. The economy, intra-party friction within ZANU-PF, inter-party bickering, talks about talks, the anti-corruption blitz and electoral politics joined land, patriotism and the defence of national sovereignty at the top of the national agenda.
The year saw the end of the Government of National Unity (GNU). A new constitution came into existence. The first half of the year was dominated by a controversial election, which was resoundingly won by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The second half saw Zimbabwe drifting back into economic problems. There were no significant shifts in international relations or socio-economic developments.
During the year, factional fights in both major parties were played out in the open. While the succession war in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (zanu-pf) seemed to have produced a victor – at least for the time being – the conflicts in the fractured and weakened opposition Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (mdc-t) raised more questions than answers. There was no substantive shift on the foreign affairs scene, the only movement being the lifting of targeted sanctions on some individuals and companies. The economy did not perform well, with critics and commentators indicating that the country was rapidly sliding back to the harrowing meltdown of 2008. ‘Illegal’ Western sanctions continued to be government’s favourite scapegoat for the economic woes.
The year was dominated by factionalism in the zimbabwe african national union-patriotic front (zanu-pf), with purges in the party becoming a regular occurrence. The intraparty fighting pitted the faction allegedly aligned with the president’s wife against the camp loyal to one of the vice presidents. Relentless rumours about President Mugabe’s health were a constant talking point throughout the year. As in previous years, much of Zimbabwe’s foreign relations centred on controversies about ‘illegal’ western sanctions, an issue which again saw very little change in the positions of the key players. The economy showed signs of deterioration.
Intraparty factionalism and succession struggles within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (zanu-pf) hogged the news throughout the year. There were rumours and speculations about opposition coalitions ahead of the 2018 elections. One of the major developments was the fallout between war veterans and President Mugabe. Speculation and gossip about Mugabe’s health continued unabated. While foreign relations with the usual friends remained good, there was no sign of improvement in relations with Western countries and multilateral lenders. These strained relations were characterised by arguments about ‘illegal’ Western sanctions and human rights abuses. The economy showed no sign of improvement, with cash shortages worsening. This gave rise to another talking point for most of the year: the controversial introduction of so-called bond notes.
The removal of President Robert Mugabe in what has been dubbed a ‘soft coup’ was the biggest story of the year. Before Mugabe’s resignation, factional struggles in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (zanu-pf), in which his wife, Grace Mugabe, was the key player, dominated the news for most of the year. Away from zanu-pf, the opposition remained divided and bickered constantly. While foreign relations with the usual friends remained good, there was very little improvement in relations with Western countries and multilateral lenders. Arguments about ‘illegal’ Western sanctions and human rights abuses persisted. Though some indicators improved, the economy showed no sign of significant improvement with cash shortages being one of the major challenges.
The first full year of the post-Mugabe era, dubbed the ‘new dispensation’ and ‘the Second Republic’ by the new leadership, began with goodwill and optimism. The country enjoyed a raft of freedoms that distinguished it from the previous regime. However, an acrimonious election campaign, a hotly disputed election, and the killing of civilians after the election, dragged the country back to the reality of polarisation, economic problems, and accusations of illegitimacy and human rights abuses. A new policy of re-engagement with the West seemed to have marginally improved relations. Foreign relations with Africa and most of the global South remained good, but there was little progress with multilateral lenders. Some socioeconomic indicators improved, but the economy did not bounce back as anticipated.
The year began in turmoil with the killing of civilians by security forces. The country still enjoyed some freedoms, but repression reappeared in various forms. The opposition continued not to recognise the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa, insisting he was an illegitimate president. A new policy of re-engagement seemed to marginally improve relations with the West but was hampered by government behaviour in domestic politics. Foreign relations with Africa and most of the Global South remained good, but there was little improvement in relations with Western countries and multilateral lenders. Socioeconomic problems resurfaced mainly as a result of macroeconomic and monetary policies. Throughout the year, the opposition and critics blamed the country’s problems on corruption, bad governance, and mismanagement, while the government and its supporters consistently blamed them on “illegal” sanctions imposed by the West.
The year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and its political, social, and economic repercussions. There was turmoil in the main opposition grouping. Also notable were human rights violations and the arrest and prosecution of opposition figures. The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (mdc-a) continued to consider the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa illegitimate. Efforts at re-engagement with the west suffered set-backs. While relations with Africa and other parts of the Global South remained good, there was little improvement in relations with the West or with multilateral institutions. Humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges were worsened by the pandemic. Whereas the opposition and critics blamed the country’s problems on corruption, bad governance, and mismanagement, the government and its supporters consistently blamed them on the West’s ‘illegal’ sanctions.
The Covid-19 pandemic, with its political, social, and economic repercussions, dominated domestic politics. Also prominent were political repression and discord in the main political parties. Claims of human rights violations and the perceived persecution of opposition figures persisted. The mdc Alliance (mdc-a) continued to regard Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency as illegitimate. The government continued its efforts to revive the economy and ‘re-engage’ with the West with little success. As in previous years, relations with Africa and the Global South remained good. Humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges were complicated by the pandemic. The opposition and critics continued to blame Zimbabwe’s problems on corruption, bad governance, and mismanagement, while the government and its supporters cited the West’s ‘illegal’ sanctions as the cause.