Memorandum on Zimbabwe

Memorandum on Zimbabwe

To: President Trump
From: Leo Field
Date: April 6, 2018
RE: Situation in Zimbabwe


Introduction

Late last year on November 21, President Mugabe resigned after 37 years as the chief executive for the nation. Mugabe oppressed his people ruling with an iron fist and a notorious human rights record. Mugabe wished to be succeeded by his wife, but she was ousted by the former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa has promised a free and fair election inviting the European Union, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations to observe the voting and transition of power. The United States should be mostly uninvolved in the Zimbabwe elections or risk destabilizing the region further.

Modern History of Zimbabwe

President Mugabe rose to power in 1980 after years of supporting a Zimbabwe with equal opportunities for whites and blacks. In 1987, he became the permanent ruler of Zimbabwe with almost unlimited power. Over time, the Zimbabwean government under Mugabe seized farmlands and other property from the white owners. Due to the seizures Zimbabwe lost most of its food production with most of its farms being owned by inexperienced citizens leading to widespread famine. Mugabe encouraged violence against whites to form a predominantly black nation with little to no white influence. Political opponents of Mugabe were imprisoned or fled to neighboring countries.
Current Situation in Zimbabwe

In November of 2017, Mugabe resigned during an impeachment hearing to ensure a smooth transition of power. A week earlier, there was a successful military coup in Zimbabwe where Mugabe refused to resign despite the coup and the days of protests that followed. The military coup was in response to Mugabe's firing of the then vice president Mnangagwa and the appointment of Grace Mugabe, the president's wife, to vice president to succeed him. Currently, child labor in abundant throughout industries in Zimbabwe. Unemployment is unofficially in 80-90 percentile with most of the population unable to afford higher education. Mnangagwa also wishes Zimbabwe to fully embrace socialism and is looking closely at China's system of governance. There is also a significant opposition movement to Mnangagwa stating he is not capable of running the country and was too close to Mugabe to be trusted. This opposition may destabilize the country especially if Mnangagwa wins the upcoming election.

The United States' Response

As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has already stated, if there are no free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, United States sanctions on the nation will remain. The President's response should be the same. The American government should remain mostly out of the Zimbabwean elections. Representatives from the European Union, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations should be present during the elections to ensure a fair and free election. Depending on the outcome of the election, the United States will lift sanctions on Zimbabwe and help foster a new era of prosperity in the nation. With the Zimbabwean leadership looking East for social and economic reforms, there is a risk of a new dictator rising through the government. As seen in China recently, the Nation Peoples' Congress has lifted term limits and given President Xi Jinping the opportunity to become President for life. If Zimbabwe moves closer towards socialism pr even communism, something similar may transpire allowing a Mugabe-like dictator to seize power. To prevent losing Zimbabwe to China's sphere of influence, the United States should work closely with Zimbabwe after the election with trade deals, infrastructural and educational opportunities for its people. Both the United States and Zimbabwe will benefit from a close relationship.