The Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe was formed in 2009 after a series of talks between the then-ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The aim of the Inclusive Government was to create a more inclusive and democratic political landscape in Zimbabwe, and to rebuild the country’s economy after years of economic decline and political turmoil. In this article, we will look at the successes and failures of the Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe.
Successes of the Inclusive Government
One of the biggest successes of the Inclusive Government was the adoption of a new constitution in 2013. This new constitution, which was the result of a national referendum, was seen as a major step forward for democracy in Zimbabwe, as it enshrined a number of rights, including freedom of expression, assembly and the press.
The Inclusive Government also managed to stabilize the economy, with the annual inflation rate dropping from a peak of 231 million percent in 2008, to around 1 percent in 2013. This was largely due to the government’s introduction of a new currency, the Zimbabwean dollar, which was pegged to the US dollar.
The Inclusive Government also made progress in terms of human rights. In particular, it improved access to education, increased access to health care, and improved the rights of women and children.
Failures of the Inclusive Government
Despite these successes, the Inclusive Government was not without its failures. The most notable of these was the failure to tackle corruption in the country. Despite the introduction of anti-corruption laws, corruption remains endemic in Zimbabwe and is estimated to cost the country billions of dollars each year.
The Inclusive Government also failed to tackle poverty in the country. Despite some progress, poverty levels remain high, with around two-thirds of Zimbabweans living below the poverty line.
In addition, the Inclusive Government was unable to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe. The ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition MDC remain deeply divided, and the country is still beset by political unrest and violence.
Overall, the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe had some successes, but also some failures. While it was able to make progress in terms of economic and human rights, it was unable to tackle corruption, poverty and the political crisis in the country. It remains to be seen if the next government will be able to make more progress in these areas.
Zimbabwe’s tumultuous past has been punctuated with events, some successes and others failures, that have deeply impacted all levels of the country’s social, economic, and political life. In 2009, the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the opposition Movement of Democratic Change (MDC)-T agreed to form an all-inclusive government – the Government of National Unity (GNU). The GNU was headed by President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai, with several other senior members representing their respective parties. While the GNU was created in an effort to bring stability to the country, its implementation has been marked by various successes and failures.
The GNU showed initial promise as it was able to temporarily arrest the spiraling inflation that had plagued Zimbabwe for years. The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) was also established to help mend the many social tensions and grievances that had long divided Zimbabweans. On the economic front, the GNU initiated a number of projects, such as the re-introduction of multiple currencies, the shift from a fixed to a market-based exchange-rate system, and the expansion of export markets, to help re-invigorate the economy.
On the other hand, the GNU has failed to make the changes required to bring the country out of poverty. The economic crisis continues to affect Zimbabweans in all walks of life, and the government has yet to show tangible results in addressing the root causes of the crisis. In addition, the GNU has been accused of human rights abuses, including manipulated elections and intimidation of opponents. Furthermore, the GNU has been unable to address the country’s deeply entrenched tribal divisions and has instead contributed to deepening the existing tensions.
It is undeniable that the GNU has made some positive steps in restoring peace and stability to Zimbabwe. However, the government has repeatedly failed to address the issues that have been plaguing the country for years. Until the government can prioritize an inclusive approach that addresses these social, economic and political ills, Zimbabwe will continue to struggle towards sustainable development and prosperity.