Pressure for political change in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Long seen as a model for black Africa, Zimbabwe is now in steep economic decline. Attempts by President Robert Mugabe to increase his administration's popularity have alienated the business community and foreign donors, and resulted in demonstrations and strikes. The consensus is that Mugabe cannot win the 2001 presidential election, and that he may not even survive in office until 2001. The growing wave of popular frustration with the regime points to a period of considerable instability, which could affect the whole region.