Zimbabwe`s Turmoil. Problems and Prospects

This document is an introduction to Monograph 87, edited by Richard Cornwell for the Institute for Security Studies. It outlines a series of analyses regarding the political and economic instability in Zimbabwe following a November 2002 seminar. The text describes failed attempts at a negotiated political transition between ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the role of state repression, and various perspectives on economic recovery and land reform.

• Between December 2002 and January 2003, there were reports of potential negotiations between ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC for a transitional government. This proposed arrangement involved amending the constitution to allow for a managed presidential succession and delayed elections after Robert Mugabe's retirement, which was seen as a way to restore relations with international financial institutions and secure donor support.
• The proposed 'exit strategy' for President Mugabe included guarantees of immunity from prosecution for him, his family, and his followers. 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 accused of gross human rights violations.
• Zimbabwe's economic collapse is characterized by debt, foreign exchange shortages, fuel and electricity shortages, and a 'wholesale assault' on commercial farming. While some analysts suggest a quick recovery is possible with the cooperation of international financial institutions and a radical change in political leadership, others argue that neither ZANU-PF's nationalism nor the MDC's neo-liberalism provide a sufficient basis for a just society.
• Analysis of the land debate suggests that the crisis in Zimbabwe is not primarily about land, but is instead centered on economic collapse and a lack of political legitimacy that has led to the abandonment of the rule of law.

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} }