Zimbabwe: Current Issues

Publication Date: March 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Coverage: Zimbabwe

Abstract:

Parliamentary elections are scheduled in Zimbabwe for March 31, 2005, and they will be closely watched by supporters of human rights and democracy. The last parliamentary election, in June 2000, was marred by violence against the opposition and other irregularities. According to the Department of State, the presidential election in March 2002 was "preceded and followed by a government-sanctioned campaign of violence directed towards supporters and potential supporters of the opposition." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has labeled Zimbabwe an "outpost of tyranny," and the United States has enforced targeted sanctions against top Zimbabwe officials and associates since 2002. Moreover, the Administration has urged South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki to lead a regional effort to promote democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. Should the 2005 voting again prove violent or manifestly unfair, some may advocate stronger measures.

Zimbabwe is a land-locked, primarily agricultural southern African country of 12.7 million people, and has been ruled by its current President, Robert Mugabe, since a majority-rule political system was established -- following a long civil war in 1980. Since the late 1990s, the Mugabe government has pursued a controversial land expropriation policy that has contributed to a sharp and continuing economic decline. GDP declined by 30% from 1998 through 2003, and fell another 5.2% in 2004. Unemployment is estimated at 70%. The adult HIV infection rate of 25% has contributed to a sharp drop in life expectancy.

The Mugabe government has been using recently imposed legislation to suppress freedom of speech and the press, and many are concerned that the government is restricting access to food, already in short supply, to opposition areas in order to influence the parliamentary vote. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been acquitted in a treason trial, but faces retrial and another treason charge. President Mugabe, now 81, has not named a successor to head the ruling party, and a behind-the-scenes power struggle is adding to concerns over the country's stability.

President Mugabe enjoys considerable popularity in Africa as a former liberation leader, and because many approve of the land takeovers. However, some leaders have come to see Mugabe's conduct as damaging to Africa and are urging democratic reforms. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has recently adopted electoral standards for its members, and many are hoping that SADC election observers will objectively measure Zimbabwe's conduct against these standards. Others fear that a sense of regional solidarity will circumscribe the judgement of the SADC team. President Mbeki is pursuing "quiet diplomacy" aimed at achieving a dialogue and a resolution of the problems in Zimbabwe, but whether his efforts are strenuous enough is controversial. This report, which will be updated as events warrant, describes the current situation within Zimbabwe and the policies adopted by key countries and institutions in the international community. Scenarios for Zimbabwe's future are briefly outlined. For background on Mugabe's land policies and previous elections, see CRS Report RL31229, Zimbabwe Backgrounder, CRS Report RS21161, Zimbabwe Election Chronology, and CRS Report RS21595, Zimbabwe Update.