Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects

The document serves as an introduction to a monograph analyzing Zimbabwe's instability. It details failed attempts at a managed political transition between ZANU-PF and the MDC, the government's subsequent increase in repression, and the economic collapse driven by debt, foreign exchange shortages, and the assault on commercial farming. It outlines five chapters covering opposition politics, internal ZANU-PF tensions, economic recovery prerequisites, radical policy alternatives, and the complexities of land reform in Southern Africa.

• Between December 2002 and January 2003, there were reports of potential negotiations between ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) regarding a transitional government. This proposed arrangement would have involved amending the constitution to allow for a managed presidential succession after Robert Mugabe's retirement in exchange for opposition cooperation.
• The proposed 'exit strategy' for President Mugabe and his associates included guarantees of immunity from prosecution for alleged misdeeds. However, the transition was blocked by Tsvangirai's refusal to withdraw a legal challenge to the 2002 presidential election results and a general reluctance to grant amnesty to a regime committing gross human rights violations.
• Zimbabwe's economic meltdown is centrally linked to debt and shortages of foreign exchange. The economy has been further crippled by electricity and fuel shortages, as well as a 'wholesale assault' on the commercial farming sector.
• Economic recovery is considered possible but requires the cooperation of international financial institutions, which in turn would necessitate a radical change in the nature of the regime and political leadership.
• While land reform is a critical issue for rural poverty and equity across Southern Africa, the crisis in Zimbabwe is primarily characterized by political illegitimacy, economic collapse, and the abandonment of the rule of law rather than land issues alone.

APA

Cornwell, R. (n.d.). Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-87-zimbabwes-turmoil.-problems-and-prospects-edited-by-richard-cornwell

Chicago

Cornwell, Richard. Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-87-zimbabwes-turmoil.-problems-and-prospects-edited-by-richard-cornwell.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cornwell |first1=Richard |title=Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-87-zimbabwes-turmoil.-problems-and-prospects-edited-by-richard-cornwell |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cornwellndzimbabwes, author = {Cornwell, Richard}, title = {{Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-87-zimbabwes-turmoil.-problems-and-prospects-edited-by-richard-cornwell}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }