Reform of the Security Sector in Zimbabwe: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The establishment of Zimbabwe’s Government of National Unity (GNU) in February 2009 inaugurated a fragile power-sharing process between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) party, and the smaller MDC-Mutambara (MDC-M) group. The GNU has undoubtedly helped to revive Zimbabwe’s economy. However, although there has been some power-sharing and interparty cooperation in some sectors, the GNU has also become an arena for intense interparty power-struggles and conflict. In essence, the GNU is a two-government structure, with the MDC-T wielding power in the economic and infrastructure sectors, while the ZANU-PF controls the “hard power” sectors, including the military, mines, agriculture, and the media. (The MDC-M is often dismissed as being either an irrelevance within the GNU, or a proxy for ZANU-PF. In fact, it has become clear that the MDC-M has played a useful mediatory role between their larger rivals within the GNU) On a positive note, a multisectoral transformation process has begun, and the establishment of national commissions is a major step; but, as of yet, there has been little attempt to reform the security sector. In the long term, reforming Zimbabwe’s security institutions and establishing the rule of law is essential for reconstruction and sustainable development.