THE STATE OF HUMAN SECURITY IN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE CONCEPT NOTE

This concept note from the Institute for Security Studies identifies the primary threats to human security in Zimbabwe as a political impasse and a severe economic crisis, specifically focusing on the contested 2008 elections and hyperinflation.

• The primary threats to human security in Zimbabwe are the unresolved political impasse and a deteriorating economic situation. In the March 29th presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) received 47.9% of the votes and Robert Mugabe (ZANU-PF) received 43.2%. Because neither candidate achieved an absolute majority, a run-off was scheduled for June 27th 2008, though the document notes the delay was due to state control over the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to allow for rigging and intimidation.
• Zimbabwe's economy has experienced a severe downturn, with real GDP expected to contract by 6.2% in 2008. Inflation reached record highs, exceeding 100,000% in January 2008, driven by government spending, currency devaluation, and shortages of foreign exchange and food.
• While Zimbabwe has not experienced open conflict or ethnically inspired violence, political actors have mobilized charges of racial and ethnic prejudice, marginalization, and favouritism during times of political and economic turbulence for political gain.
• The political climate in Zimbabwe has been tense and polarized since the start of the Fast Track Land Resettlement Programme in late 1999 and the elections held in 2000 and March 2002.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). THE STATE OF HUMAN SECURITY IN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE CONCEPT NOTE. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/STATEHUMSECNOTE.PDF

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. THE STATE OF HUMAN SECURITY IN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE CONCEPT NOTE. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/STATEHUMSECNOTE.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=THE STATE OF HUMAN SECURITY IN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE CONCEPT NOTE |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/STATEHUMSECNOTE.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndstate, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{THE STATE OF HUMAN SECURITY IN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE CONCEPT NOTE}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/STATEHUMSECNOTE.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }