Zimbabwe: Background and Issues

Zimbabwe is a land-locked, primarily agricultural southern African country of 12.7 million people, and has been ruled by its current President, Robert Mugabe, since a majority-rule political system was established - following a long civil war - in 1980. Since the late 1990s, the Mugabe government has pursued a controversial land expropriation policy that has contributed to a sharp and continuing economic decline. GDP declined by 30% from 1998 through 2003, and fell another 5.2% in 2004. Unemployment is estimated at 70%. The adult HIV infection rate of 25% has contributed to a sharp drop in life expectancy. These subhuman and undemocratic living conditions drove people to the poles in 2005 to finally overthrow Mugabe's reign. The papers presented in this book give insight into the situations and events of the years leading up to the highly anticipated 2005 elections.