Vol 49 No 7 | ZIMBABWE The sick man of the south 28th March 2008 President Mugabe's disastrous stewardship is dragging the region's economy downwards but the leaders are divided on the remedy Zimbabwe's elections on 29 March raise some hard questions for the region. Member governments and the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community, Zambia's President Lev...
Vol 49 No 7 | ZIMBABWE Harare eyes the Kenyan model 28th March 2008 When Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga referred to Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe as 'a dinosaur' last year, his party received an angry phonecall from Futungo de Belas in...
Vol 49 No 7 | ZIMBABWE Marking ballots, selling shares 28th March 2008 Companies are watching the elections with a particular focus - the implementation of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act. Announced by President Robert Mugabe on 7 March, the Ac...
Vol 49 No 6 | ZIMBABWE Elections within elections 14th March 2008 The presidential contest attracts most attention but the battle for Parliament may decide the outcome There are four elections in Zimbabwe on 29 March and none of them are going according to plan for President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. The old mixture of coercion and patronage used by...
Vol 49 No 5 | ZIMBABWE A birthday at Beitbridge 29th February 2008 Economic hardship and growing divisions in the ruling party give the opposition candidates a better chance in the coming elections President Robert Mugabe, sure of victory in the presidential election on 29 March, chose to hold his 84th birthday party in Beitbridge. The party overlooked the border post through...
Vol 49 No 5 | ZIMBABWE Constituency carve-ups 29th February 2008 Whatever may happen in the presidential poll, the legislative elections are crucial and independent candidates likely to swing behind Simba Makoni are thin on the ground. A total o...
Vol 49 No 4 | ZIMBABWE In the lion's den 15th February 2008 Simba Makoni's decision to challenge President Robert Mugabe has surprised those who suspected he lacked the courage to see it through. The odds could hardly be higher for 58-year-...
Vol 49 No 4 | ZIMBABWE The real Makoni stands up 15th February 2008 Voters are eagerly waiting to see how many ZANU-PF dissidents back the latest challenge to President Mugabe This may prove to be the week that Simba Makoni and his backers started to turn the tide in Zimbabwe's politics. On 13 February, Makoni launched his independent candidacy in the pr...
Vol 49 No 4 | EQUATORIAL GUINEAZIMBABWE From Chikurubi to Blackbeach 15th February 2008 Simon Mann, former Special Air Service officer and mercenary, was extradited on 1 February from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea, where he is to face charges of coup plotting in conne...
Vol 49 No 3 | ZIMBABWE Makoni's mouth 1st February 2008 Only former Finance Minister Simba Makoni can resolve the issue of whether he is going to challenge President Robert Mugabe for the Presidency in the elections now set for 29 March...