Between gaining independence from the British in April 1980 and 21 November 2017, the Republic of Zimbabwe was ruled by Robert Mugabe, the leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANUPF). Two decades after independence, Zimbabwe had fallen into an extended period of economic decline and crisis, which was primarily linked to the implementation of a controversial land reform in 2000 – a policy that led to low agricultural productivity, high unemployment and hyperinflation. The unpopular economic reforms in the early 2000s acted as a catalyst – resulting in turmoil, economic decline, suppressive measures, public protests and ultimately, the military intervention that overthrew Mugabe’s government in November 2017. The purpose of this report is to provide analysis and policy implications to assist the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States and Development Partners in decision-making and in the implementation of peace and security related instruments.
