Enabling Environments for Civic Movements and the Dynamics of Democratic Transition - Zimbabwe
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 10 July 2008 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Enabling Environments for Civic Movements and the Dynamics of Democratic Transition - Zimbabwe, 10 July 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4912b63328.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Period of democratic transition: 1977–1979
Pro-democracy civic movement: not present
In 1965, a white-minority regime led by Prime Minister Ian Smith unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom; Zimbabwe – then known as Rhodesia – was subsequently considered illegal and was subject to extensive sanctions.
In 1976, following economic sanctions, guerrilla warfare, the end of Portuguese colonial rule in neighboring countries, and Anglo-American diplomatic pressure, Smith agreed in principle to majority rule and to meeting black nationalist leaders in Geneva. However, the meeting failed to produce a settlement. The following year, an internal settlement signed by the Smith government and prominent black leaders Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Reverend Nadabaningi Sithole, and Chief Jeremiah Chirau provided for qualified majority rule and free elections. Elections took place in April 1979 and resulted in a victory for Bishop Muzorewa. However, the guerrilla conflict that had killed thousands persisted, and later that year the United Kingdom convened deliberations with the African parties in London. On December 12, 1979, "Zimbabwe-Rhodesia" reverted to British colonial rule in preparation for official independence; and on December 21, an agreement was signed in London calling for a cease-fire, new elections, a transition period under British rule, and a new constitution implementing majority rule while protecting minority rights. The United Nations Security Council approved the settlement and lifted all sanctions. Free and fair elections were held in February 1980 and resulted in a victory for Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party, which formed the first democratically elected government. Zimbabwe was granted independence in April, and its first representative Parliament convened in May.
A few years of stability followed. However, since then ZANU-PF has become one of the most politically oppressive regimes in all of Africa, with a reputation for human rights abuses and violent intimidation under the relentlessly authoritarian hand of Mugabe.
