What is Behind the Military Coup in Zimbabwe?

What is Behind the Military Coup in Zimbabwe?

Long-roiling factional conflict within Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF political party exploded last week in a military coup that quickly seized control of the government and state media. The coup was led by Commander of Zimbabwe Defense Forces Constantino Chiwenga, who is closely aligned with former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Emboldened by President Robert Mugabe’s declining mental…

Zimbabwe: Domestic Rivalries, US-China Competition Underlie Political Crisis

Zimbabwe: Domestic Rivalries, US-China Competition Underlie Political Crisis

On November 14, 2017 military forces in Zimbabwe took control of the streets, sequestered President Robert Mugabe in his residence, and publicly announced that the kinda sorta but not really coup was merely a clean-up operation intended to “target criminals.” While the claim does have some merit – Zimbabwe’s government, like those of nearly all…

Zimbabwe Goes Down the Path of Hyperinflation… Again.

Zimbabwe Goes Down the Path of Hyperinflation… Again.

Some people just don’t learn. After becoming the most famous case of hyperinflation in modern history roughly ten years ago, Zimbabwe is about to have another go at conjuring paper money out of thin air. I’m sure this time will be different. You know the story. Starting in the late 1990s, the Zimbabwe government’s policies…