Terror Policy in Zimbambe (Research Paper Sample)

TERROR POLICY IN ZIMBABWE
Student Name
Course Instructor
Subject Name
Institution
Date
Famed for its natural beauty and the majestic Victoria waterfalls, Zimbabwe has over the decades stood out amongst other African countries with regards to its natural splendor and rich cultural heritage. However, there are issues that have over the years threatened to fade away the shining sparkle that this country exudes. These issues have continuously exposed the country to the threats of extremism in a bid to persuade the current leadership to lend a listening ear to the plights of its populace.
Issues ranging from corruption, inequality, unemployment and the unbecoming authoritarian political regime have agitated the populace. Most of the country’s populace have been accusing the government officials of approving unfavorable policies and conducting government activities in an unethical manner. These are just but a tip of the iceberg with regard to the issues that they believe are bleeding the economy and are almost bringing it to its knees.
Brief History of Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe, 91, is the current head of the state. He has been at the helm of the country’s leadership since when it attained independence on 18th April 1980. Then, he had been the Prime Minister alongside Canaan Banana who was the ceremonial president. This was after a second liberation movement, chimurenga, had championed the fight for independence to oppose the minority white rule in the country (Bernholz, 2003)
This had not been the first liberation movement as the first had occurred in the late 19th century after invasion and was led by Mbuya Nehanda and Sekaru Kaguvi. It was however, unsuccessful in unseating the European rule and enforcing their own leadership. The second liberation movement however, did yield tangible results. The Zimbabwe African National Union and the Zimbabwe People National Union which then were led by Mugabe and John Nkomo respectively, did champion for Zimbabwe’s independence up until 1979 when they were successful at overthrowing the minority rule. Mugabe later became the president in 1987 and has been so to date.
Economic Ties and Status of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has over time enjoyed strong foreign ties with the People’s Republic of China and South Africa. This can partly be attributed to the strong support that both governments offered liberation front movements against the white rule leading to the country’s independence. Mugabe’s government has however, sparked diplomatic row with some Western powers who feel that he has failed to alleviate poverty as well as breaking some conventional International agreements when carrying out trades with foreign countries. An example was when Zimbabwe traded its ivory in favor of getting armory equipment from china
Strained ties with Russia
Moreover, he has sparked rivalry with the Russian government, part of the former Soviet Union, which had previously supported John Nkomo’s rally for the country’s leadership. This has strained bilateral trade agreements between both countries as well. However, the Economic Outlook of the country has not been favorable. Analyst point out to Poor macro-management, land reforms and political instability as being leading causes to the country’s decline in economic growth.
Economic State of Zimbabwe
Currently, Zimbabwe has the highest inflation rate in the world. According to Hanke (2008), the legal tender lost ground to the U.S. currency since independence whereby the Zimbabwean dollar was trading at $1.54 to the American dollar. This has not been the case however, since Mugabe’s regime came to power as the legal tender lost 99.9% of its value in 2007. The currency suffered a 2 million percent hyperinflation rate and the legal tender was rendered basically useless. This meant that there was unfavorable balance of payment and that the economy did operate under deficit. The government has to date been unable to efficiently sustain development growth through infrastructural development as well as reducing unemployment and poverty rates.
The weak economic state of Zimbabwe cannot entirely be blamed on the country’s inflation rate. Part of this menace can be attributed to the land reforms through the 80s and 90s whereby, land that was previously owned by white settlers was allocated/shared out to the Zimbabwean populace. This significantly depressed agricultural activity in the country (FAOSTAT database, 2011). Zimbabwe had largely been dependent on its agricultural sector to feed its populace as well as for export for its largely grown tobacco which had been a key income generator.
This economic instability has agitated the populace who have with time waged protest at the soaring unemployment rates as well as the high cost of living. This has placed the populace especially the young generation at a more vulnerable position of getting radicalized into forming extremist groups. According to Taspinar (2009), radicalism is prone in regimes that have failed to capture the complexities and breadth of developments as social and political phenomena. In essence, people that have been forced into living under unfavorable poverty conditions due to political regimes that have lost touch with its populace, may indeed rebel against the leadership through dissident acts.
Internal Political Authority in Zimbabwe
Mugabe’s reign has mostly been authoritarian. This of course has not been without having to ‘trample’ on the available resistance in order to coarse his authority on government operations. This has rubbed many within his political ruling party and outside in the wrong way and they have resorted into rebellious acts that have often caused dismissal of their duties or their alienation in their ruling parties. Dissident powers have formed against his rule with an aim of airing their views on the corrupt government that has failed in its mandate to provide for its people, grow its economy and stop corruption. However, they have resorted into airing their views with caution as they fear that the current regime may harm them or their families. In essence, the opposition power has always been weakened under Mugabe’s rule.
Mugabe’s Sour Relationship with Joyce Mujuru
Mujuru had until late 2014 been the Vice President of Zimbabwe. This is after the events leading to numerous accusations by Mugabe where actually she was alleged to be plotting an assassination attempt to ouster the president. According to Mbiba (2014), she was alleged to have been a rising critic of Mugabe’s government and that she was looking for means to purge the president from office. Grace Mugabe, the first lady, had been vocal about wanting Mujuru relieved of her duties. Mujuru however dismissed this allegations as mere and unbacked speculations that were aimed at defaming her.
Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe’s Power Sharing Pact
The former powerful Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions leader, he had resigned to form the Movement for Democratic Change which would in 2008 be a force to reckon with during the general elections. He however was subjected to torture from the police at the behest of the Mugabe’s directives in 2007 prior to the elections in a bid to intimidate him. He however did not relent in his quest to unseat Mugabe. Preliminary results after the results did reveal that he did in fact garner just over 47 percent of all the total votes cast against Mugabe’s 43 percent. But since he had failed to surpass the required 50% requirement, he was forced to garner for a runoff election. This however, was not taken lightly by Mugabe as he did not surrender his seat and he forced Tsvangirai to get into a power sharing pact in order to maintain his political rule.
Zimbabwe and its Geopolitical Powers
Zimbabwe has over time been able to form, nurture and strengthen political ties with some of its geopolitical neighbors. However, this has not been the case as it has been subjected to strenuous relationship with some of its neighbors and former allies.
South African Ties with Zimbabwe
One such neighbor is South Africa which neighbors it to the South. South Africa has been instrumental in Zimbabwe’s economic and political stability. They have strengthened bilateral trade between themselves. This has been the case since South Africa rallied support for Zimbabwe before independence. They were instrumental at hosting ZANU offices within their countries in the show of support and solidarity with the country before independence.
Zambia and Botswana Allegations
Zimbabwe and Zambia had for the better part enjoyed a cordial foreign relationship. This however, did not last for long as the relationship between the two countries became strained following a series of allegations that Zambia leveled against the Mugabe ruled state. According to IRIN (2008), the events following Mugabe’s defiance to honor and avail himself in Lusaka for a meeting sent clear signals that a sour relationship had been brewing between the two countries.
Zambia along with Botswana and Tanzania condemned the uncalled for attacks of their countries in Zimbabwe’s media. They termed the Mugabe led state as being a puppet for western powers and being used to defame the ongoing humanitarian support that the Zambian country was doing for Zimbabwe’s refugees. Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia’s president has also shown his disapproval for Mugabe’s regime since he had refused to step down and hand the leadership mantle to Morgan Tsvangirai.
Zimbabwe and Education
The Zimbabwean education sector had largely been gender insensitive. This is owing to traditional values and customary laws that hin...