Territory: Located in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.  The total area is 390, 580 square kilometers.  There boder between Zimbabwe and Zambia is created naturally by the Zambezi river that flows over Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls.  There is little arable land and the country is subject to annual droughts. (Source: CIA World Fact Book)

Population: Over 11 million people live in Zimbabwe, which is divided into two prominent black African ethnic groups, the Shona and the Ndebele and the white settlement population (less than 1%). (World Fact Book)

History, Government and Independence:

A group of British explorers, under the leadership of Cecil Rhodes, from England, ventured from South Africa into Zimbabwe in search of natural resources.  By 1895, the country of Rhodesia was annexed from the territory known today as South Africa by the South Africa Company.

Conflict between the white settlers and the indigenous population arose during the turn of the century due to the increased use of Africans for domestic work and as slaves.  In addition, in the 1920s, the conflict between the races developed due to new legislation that excluded the indigenous population from their rightful claims to farmland.  The exclusion from ownership of farmland left the black population in the position of servitude to the whites, as work on white-owned land was the only source of economic activity.

In 1964, President Ian Smith was inaugurated president of Rhodesia and subsequently began a campaign for independence.  He declared a Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 and in 1968, UDI was deemed illegal by Britain.  Guerilla warfare broke out following the declaration of independence.  There was a bitter rivalry between the Ndebele led Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and the Shona led Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU).  The conditions in the country declined to the point where Smith had to call for a non-racial election in order to quell the violence.  Smith lost the election to a member of the African National Congress, Abel Muzorewea.

In 1979, under the advisement of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a constitution drafted by Ian Smith, Abel Muzorewea and nationals Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo.  In an internationally monitored election in March 1980, Robert Mugabe became president of Zimbabwe and the country, in turn, gained its independence.

For more on the history of Zimbabwe, visit Africanet.

(General history compiled from CIA World Factbook and Lonely Planet)
 
 
 
 

There are two prominent ethnic groups in Zimbabwe, the Shona and the Ndebele.  About 90 percent of Zimbabwean society consists of Shona (CIA World Factbook), descendants of the Shona dynasties from the pre-colonial period. "The Shona dynasties fractured into autonomous states, many of which later formed the Rozwi state, which encompassed over half of present-day Zimbabwe well into the 19th century" (Lonely Planet Guide, Historical outline).  The Ndebele comprise a much smaller portion of the population of Zimbabwe.  Nevertheless, in 1834, the city of Bulawayo was established by Ndebele raiders who assassinated the Rozwi leader (Lonely Planet). Upon arrival of white settlers, the divisions between these groups faded as the conflict turned to that of black versus white.

Today, the key problem in Zimbabwe does not arise from conflict between ethnic groups.  The relations between the black majority population and the white minority, remnants of colonial history, are the roots of violence within the country.  This division has only become more pronounced under President Mugabe's rule.  The land reforms proposed by Mugabe would remove white farmers from their land in order to gain arable land for black farmers.  There is a defined Zimbabwe nation, but it is divided by race.
 
 

Although, the country attempts to hold democratic elections and there is currently a large portion of the population supporting democratization of the country, President Robert Mugabe and his cronies continue to hinder this process through authoritarian rule.  Political power is gained only through support of Mugabe's regime.  Mugabe has remained in power for 22 years due to manipulation of national polls, media campaigns, and through the continued support of Zimbabweans hoping to rid their country of white dominance.  As support grows for a more democratic government and as the international community places pressure and targeted sanctions on Mugabe and officials, it is difficult to predict the future of his reign.  However, as his military force rages through the country in search of dissidents, it is assured that he will not leave his position peacefully. (Compiled from articles in News section)

Under Mugabe's authoritarian rule, the country has primarily followed a system of socialism since independence in 1980.  Mugabe rejects the capitalism of the West that is trying to filter in through the opposition's campaign.  Morgan Tsvingirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, has plans for not only democracy, but for capitalism, as he has ties in international trade.
 
 

Although President Mugabe and his militia partake in various crimes that range from stripping members of the opposition party of their identification documents to assassination to ensure the domination of the ZANU-PF, there is a growing population of democracy supporters.  In the recent elections, a significant portion of the population exercised their right to vote - though for some, this action cost them their life.  The people of Zimbabwe appear to be greatly involved in the politics of the country.  The information they receive is carefully monitored by the government.  In February 2002, the government enacted new media laws that place greater limitations on the foreign press and limit the freedom of speech in the media.  Political and civil rights are not guaranteed unless one votes for Mugabe.
 
 

The population of Zimbabwe is currently divided by those who support President Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF party and those that support Morgan Tsvingirai of the Movement for Democratic Change.  The MDC is looking to integrate a democratic system into the current authoritarian government, and at the same time embrace a free market economy.  Mugabe's platform remains the same, promoting his land reforms that would violently rid white farmers of their land in order to give more land to the black population.
 
 

The country does hold elections as a sign of its progress towards democracy.  However, as the recent campaigns have proven, the elections are little more than a practice.  Robert Mugabe has ruled for 22 years and by no means will he relinquish his power.  For more information about the most recent elections in Zimbabwe, please see In the News.
 
 

Zimbabwe does not have strong foreign policy goals.  Additionally, the social and economic issues within the country have hurt the position of Zimbabwe in the international community.  Mugabe continues to withdraw his country from foreign relations with the West, yet the country still looks to other nations, primarily in Africa and South America, for relief of the current economic crisis that has resulted in starvation in many rural areas.  Zimbabwe has alliances with Nigeria and South Africa, as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  It has decent relations with its border coutries-Botswana and Zambia, though the two countries fear the influx of refugees stemming from the poor economic conditions.
 
 

Zimbabwe plays a limited role in international affairs, and that role currently is the receiving end of international criticism for human rights abuses and unfair elections.  In addition, Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth states, the countries that comprise the former British colonies.  The troubled internal affairs of the country coupled with the corruption of the government and the lack of natural resources for exploit does not make Zimbabwe a significant contributor to the international community.  Zimbabwe is a member of both the Organization for African Unity and the United Nations.