EU observers say Zimbabwe election ‘fell short’ on fairness
Zimbabwe’s first election since the ousting of Robert Mugabe did not meet international standards, European Union observers said Wednesday in a report that raised a series of irregularities in the disputed vote. The July 30 presidential poll saw Mugabe’s successor Emmerson Mnangagwa win with 50.8 percent of the votes, just enough to avoid a second […]
Burundian Experience Offers Insights for the Zimbabwe Opposition
The important lesson for Zimbabwe’s opposition from what happened in Burundi in 2010 is that participation is key. Despite what may look like injustice, it is good for the Zimbabwean opposition to stay within decision-making institutions such as the national assembly in order to counter any move that would otherwise lead to devastating consequences such […]
The United States should push for a genuine democratic transition in Zimbabwe
Michelle Gavin, formerly President Barack Obama’s senior Africa director at the National Security Council and U.S. ambassador to Botswana, is senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Todd Moss, formerly deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa, is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development. Alexander Noyes is a senior associate at […]
Zimbabwe is still in trouble, but it’s under too little pressure to change
Zimbabwe reached a major milestone this year, holding its first parliamentary and presidential elections since Robert Mugabe was removed from power after 37 years of continuous rule. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party was led on the ballot by his usurper, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who promised the elections would be free and fair. In a refreshing change, for the […]
Zimbabwe says ‘hostility of the West’ putting off renewed investment
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Western hostility towards Zimbabwe is deterring investment, the presidency spokesman said on Tuesday, comments in sharp contrast with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s previous efforts to woo Western governments. Mnangagwa has made progress in improving Zimbabwe’s relations with Western states before and after he won a July 30 presidential election, the first since the […]
New Amnesty International leader’s 1st move targets Zimbabwe
Amnesty International’s new leader said Wednesday his first act is writing to Zimbabwe’s next president about the disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara: “Whoever leads the new government must move to undo the injustices of the past.” Kumi Naidoo, a South African-born former anti-apartheid activist, took office as secretary general of the London-based rights group on […]
The Face Of New Terror In Zimbabwe – A Junta Army And Police
Zimbabwe police stormed the headquarters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the capital Harare on Thursday and detained 16 people after sealing off the building earlier, a Reuters witness said. “Police came with a warrant of search and seizure they claimed there were certain computers and other subversive materials,” MDC lawyer Denford […]
Video: Zimbabwe faces up to its painful past
After three decades of silence, people in Zimbabwe are finally speaking out about the brutal civil war that followed independence. It’s no longer taboo to mention the ethnic massacres of the 1980s – even though President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who ousted Robert Mugabe last year, was head of the security services at the time. As survivors […]
Zimbabwe – a new chance?
Following the ousting of the former president, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has embarked on a path of openness that seemed to be unimaginable a couple of years ago. The new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has pledged to re-engage with the international community and subsequently normalize relations between them and Zimbabwe, a move seen by all observers as […]
Opposition Divided as Zimbabwe Prepares for Post-Mugabe Elections
On July 30th, Zimbabwe holds its first general elections since the resignation of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe. The polls give opposition parties their first real chance of taking power since Zimbabwe won independence. The main opposition MDC is divided into factions, and analysts say this hurts the party’s chance of claiming the presidency. The elections […]
