Fixing Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is experiencing severe economic collapse and political unrest, characterized by inflation exceeding 1,700 per cent and unemployment over 80 per cent. While internal fractures within the ruling ZANU-PF party and protests from public-sector workers suggest a potential shift in power, the document argues that simply removing President Robert Mugabe would be insufficient. A stable transition would require a caretaker government, a constitutional review, and the reinvention of democratic institutions like the Electoral Commission to separate the ruling party from state apparatus. The author suggests that the African Union and other international actors may need to broker a transition, noting that Mugabe's fear of prosecution by the International Criminal Court may hinder his willingness to step down.

• Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic crisis with annual inflation surpassing 1,700 per cent and unemployment rates exceeding 80 per cent.
• Political instability is increasing as public-sector workers, including teachers and nurses, join protests due to months of unpaid wages, and former ZANU-PF loyalists distance themselves from President Robert Mugabe over his intent to remain in power until 2010.
• The removal of Robert Mugabe is viewed as only the first step; a successful transition would likely require a caretaker president, a constitutional review, the repeal of restrictive laws, and the creation of an independent Electoral Commission.
• President Mugabe may resist leaving power due to the risk of being prosecuted for human rights abuses by the International Criminal Court, especially following the precedent set by the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

APA

Kajee, A. (2007). Fixing Zimbabwe. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Fixing-Zimbabwe-Africa-Report-104-22-March-2007.pdf

Chicago

Kajee, Ayesha. Fixing Zimbabwe. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2007. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Fixing-Zimbabwe-Africa-Report-104-22-March-2007.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kajee |first1=Ayesha |title=Fixing Zimbabwe |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=22 March 2007 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Fixing-Zimbabwe-Africa-Report-104-22-March-2007.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kajee2007fixing, author = {Kajee, Ayesha}, title = {{Fixing Zimbabwe}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2007}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Fixing-Zimbabwe-Africa-Report-104-22-March-2007.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }