Mail & Guardian: New Zimbabwe Is Not So Different

The internatonal community had hoped the end of Robert Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe would introduce a period of stability and prosperity. After fighting for Zimbabwe’s independence, Mugabe was the country’s president from 1987 until November 2017 when he was forced to resign. The country failed to deliver a peaceful or credible election on July 30, reports Simon Allison for the Mail & Guardian, describing irregularities favoring the ruling party. Violence erupted, with a swift military response, delaying the release of presidential election results. “The international community – along with many Zimbabweans – has been prepared to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga the benefit of the doubt,” Allison writes. “Never mind that one was Mugabe’s right-hand man, and the other was in charge of Mugabe’s army…. This is a military government that came to power via a military coup.” Election violence will put a hold on foreign aid and investment for Zimbabwe. The country has 13 million people with a GDP per capita of $2,300. – YaleGlobal