The Civil War Roots of Military Domination in Zimbabwe: The Integration Process Following the Rhodesian War and the Road to ZANLA Dominance

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of what happens after a civil war ends. In particular it traces the development of political authoritarianism from an initial multiparty democracy and military integration following a civil war to one-party control and the breakdown of civil security following the rise of an alternative opposition. The post-conflict situation within Zimbabwe shows clearly how one faction was able to use their position to dismantle and incorporate opposition groups into a one-party state, despite considerable violence between former allies over seven years. A narrative history of the process and its aftermath provides a valuable insight into how these processes developed and the implications of actions taken during an integration process itself for subsequent political development.