Sub Saharan Africa

Zimbabwe

Last updated: 19 June 2009

Country information

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POLITICS

At the elections of March 2008, ZANU(PF) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence. Mugabe also lost the first round in the presidential contest, although the official figures put Tsvangirai just short (with 47%) of the 50% plus 1 required for outright victory. The subsequent Presidential run-off election, scheduled for June 2008, was marred by random violence against MDC supporters, leading Tsvangirai to withdraw. Under SADC auspices, President Mbeki of South Africa brokered a power-sharing agreement between ZANU(PF) and the two MDC formations (see below) in September but negotiations remained deadlocked over allocation of Ministerial positions. Under pressure, Tsvangirai finally agreed to enter into government with Mugabe and was inaugurated as Prime Minister in February 2009.

Tsvangirai’s MDC has a majority in the lower House of Parliament (House of Assembly), while ZANU(PF) has a majority in the Upper House (Senate). The MDC party is split into two factions – the larger faction, MDC-T led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the smaller, MDC-M, led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara. ZANU(PF) have a small majority of Ministerial rank positions. The President and both Deputy Presidents are ZANU(PF), the Prime Minister is MDC-T, one Deputy Prime Minister is MDC-T and the other MDC-T, 21 Ministers are ZANU(PF), 16 are MDC-T and 4 MDC-M.

The current inclusive government is a transitional arrangement. A cross-party committee has been established to draft a new constitution. Once drafted and approved, new elections should be held in 18-24 months time.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Zimbabwe's human rights record since 1999 has been vigorously criticised by the international community including the European Union, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights, as well as by the United States and other countries. The widespread random violence perpetrated by ZANU(PF) youth and war veteran groups that marked the election period in 2008 has now abated, but human rights issues are still of serious concern. Independent media is stifled, and human rights defenders are harassed, assaulted and prevented from holding peaceful demonstrations. Repressive legislation is in place, limiting fundamental freedoms. Prison conditions are cause for serious concern, torture occurs regularly and there is a general culture of impunity, whereby perpetrators of abuses are not prosecuted or even encouraged. The formation of the inclusive government has led to the release of most political prisoners, although many remain on strict bail conditions and the justice system remains opaque and corrupt. Violent farm invasions have increased in early 2009.

Human Rights Annual Report 2006