Zimbabwe became independent in 1980. Ever since then, Mugabe has been in power. The country made major social progress early on. But there was a gradual strain on democracy. Corruption and oppression of dissidents crept into the system.
Zimbabwe had well-developed industry and productive agriculture, which was dominated by white landowners until the turn of the century. About 6000 large-scale farmers owned the fertile land. There was a huge desire to own the productive soil among a population that had been resettled to the least fertile areas during colonial times.
There was some land distribution, and in 1999 the government and donors agreed to far-reaching reforms.
Protests and oppression
However, at that time the population had become greatly dissatisfied with an increasingly corrupt and ineffective government and a worsening economy and incomes. This resulted in a number of demonstrations and strikes.
In 2000, Zanu-PF lost a referendum for the first time when the population rejected a constitution that would have cemented Mugabe’s power.
The new opposition party, MDC, won the parliamentary election that followed, but the regime held onto power through electoral rigging and violence. In response to the setbacks, Zanu-PF supporters invaded the large farm holdings. Both white farmers and MDC sympathizers were murdered.
This represented the beginning of 10 years of economic and political upheaval. Food production dropped to catastrophically low levels, members of the opposition were jailed and murdered, inflation was out of control and factories closed. In recent years, half of the country’s population has been dependent on food aid from abroad.
Poverty is widespread and the average life expectancy is about 36, largely because of the spread of HIV and Aids.
Election victory brings renewed hope
In 2008, the opposition won the parliamentary elections, while Mugabe retained presidential power through brutal violence.
There are major hopes that the transitional government will manage to guide the country back to democracy and development. Pressure from Zimbabwe’s neighbouring countries is vital if this is to work.
No development aid to the government
Sweden has assisted the country’s population throughout, including support for health care and education. In recent years, the donations have switched to humanitarian aid through the UN and non-government organizations. We have avoided supporting the regime directly. Development aid is still not supplied directly through the government because of Zanu-PF’s continued influence.
More large-scale development aid is based on the following list of demands from donors:
- The humanitarian aid must not be politicized
- Laws and rules must be respected
- The democratic process must continue
- The country must strive for macro-economic stabilization.
Sweden currently provides Zimbabwe with about SEK 160 million per year in development aid. Nothing goes through the state. The principal areas are:
- Humanitarian support, particularly for vulnerable children
- Democratic support through non-government organizations
- Support for work to combat HIV and Aids.
- The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report on Zimbabwe provides socio-economic facts about the country.
- Many websites publish news about Zimbabwe. Two of these are ZWNEWS andSW Radio Africa, which also broadcasts radio programmes.
- The Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) presents analysis on political developments in Zimbabwe.
