Coordinators Note. Zimbabwe 2 years after the Coup…What is to be Done?

November marks the 2nd anniversary of the fall of Zimbabwe’s dictator Robert Mugabe who was deposed from power by his military ending his 37-year reign from power since the country attained its independence from colonial rule.

In a Hollywood style of events that left the whole world amused and confused whether to call it a coup or not coup, something that puzzled military scholars for some time.

As we reflect on the 2 years after Mnangagwa’s taking over we remain worried that a little has changed despite the promises of a new narrative and a new politics. The economy remains in the intensive care unit and the government seems very clueless in resolving the crisis.

Politically, Zimbabwe remains a polarized society along political party lines, there is no unit of purpose anymore, needless to say, the most worrying development being the shrinking of democratic space thus making it a difficult environment for the civil society and the opposition to operate in.

We are very worried about the violent attacks on the MDC supporters at Harvest House, ahead of an address by the party leader Nelson Chamisa. The barbarism exhibited by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is a clear reminder of Mugabe’s reign of terror targeted at innocent civilians.

We also take this opportunity to welcome the position on Zimbabwe taken by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations Dr Naledi Pandor in the efforts to find a lasting solution to the Zimbabwean crisis.

In the same vein, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition dispatched a delegation to Botswana this week and held several meetings with different groups including Zimbabweans living in Botswana, diplomats accredited to Botswana and solidarity partners from Botswana. The visit is part of the Coalition’s regional work to engage different parties in finding a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis.

We, therefore, call upon the rest of the SADC community together with other global players to institute discussions on the situation in Zimbabwe and develop a political and economic rescue package that is predicated on democratic progress.

This edition takes stock of how far we have travelled 2 years after the fall of Robert Mugabe and we do hope the articles will stimulate debate as Zimbabwe tries to find the answers on What is to be done.