Zimbabwe joined the Commonwealth immediately after independence on April 1980. The climate of reconciliation which President Robert Mugabe encouraged between blacks and whites in the early days of his country’s independence, made Zimbabwe a pivot of Commonwealth diplomacy in race-divided Southern Africa. The Harare Commonwealth Summit of 1991 and its resultant Harare Declaration raised Zimbabwe’s profile as a key member of the Commonwealth in Africa. This situation, however, changed with the coming of Mugabe’s radical land reforms.
Land Reforms, the Beginning of Trouble with the Commonwealth
As a member of the Commonwealth, Zimbabwe owed allegiance to this body especially as issues of democracy, human rights and the rule of law were concerned. These values, however, conflicted with President Mugabe’s land reform policy especially when these reforms became too radical. This radical phase began in 2000.
As a result of the upheaval triggered by Mugabe’s radical reforms, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met for talks with a Zimbabwean delegation in September 2001. In their deliberations, the Zimbabwean government agreed to stop violence on farms, prevent further farm invasions and uphold human rights. These pledges were, however, not respected according to a Commonwealth minister who visited Zimbabwe a month later.
Commonwealth Denounces the 2002 Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe
The 2002 presidential elections in Zimbabwe were held amidst violence which was heightened by Britain’s refusal to continue funding land reforms. A Commonwealth Observer Mission reported that the elections were marred by violence. This report concluded that “the elections did not adequately allow for a free expression of will [and] were a violation of the fundamental Commonwealth principles, most notably those of the Harare Declaration.” This statement helped to infuriate Mugabe.
To address the crisis, Commonwealth heads of government mandated a “Troika” composed of leaders of South Africa, Nigeria and Australia to act upon the Observers’ report. The “Troika” decided to suspend Zimbabwe from the councils of the Commonwealth for one year pending the restoration of violence and the holding of free and fair elections. The Commonwealth also undertook to assist in Zimbabwe’s land reforms and to promote reconciliation between Mugabe and the opposition.
Zimbabwe Quits the Commonwealth
As Zimbabwe’s crisis intensified, the Commonwealth increased efforts to find solutions. President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Commonwealth, with the support of heads of government established a group of six to decide upon appropriate action. At a conference held in Abuja in December 2003, this group decided, in Mugabe’s absence, to suspend Zimbabwe indefinitely from the Councils of the Commonwealth.
Upon receiving news of Zimbabwe’s indefinite suspension, Mugabe also announced his decision to withdraw his country from the Commonwealth on December 7, 2003. “Zimbabwe quits and quits will be” said Mugabe who likened the Commonwealth to George Orwell’s Animal Farm where some members were more equal than others. “Anything that you agreed to on Zimbabwe … no matter how sweetly worded means Zimbabwe is still the subject of the Commonwealth,” were Mugabe’s parting words.
Implications and Reactions to Mugabe’s Departure from the Commonwealth
Mugabe’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth was another clear manifestation of his defiance against outside pressure. It removed any leverage that the Commonwealth could exert on Zimbabwe. It brought the Abuja diplomacy to complete failure and tested the ability of Mugabes’ closest allies to restrain him.
Reactions to Mugabe’s departure varied from country to country. To South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia – Mugabe’s traditional sympathizers, it was a great shock. To Helen Clark, Prime minister of New Zealand, Mugabe’s withdrawal was a crisis for Zimbabwe not for the Commonwealth. Tony Blair, former British prime minister, saw it as the “right outcome.” According to Blair, it was important for the Commonwealth to send “a strong signal to Zimbabwe.”
See also: Mugabe, From Constitutionalism to Radicalism
Understanding Zimbabwe’s Land Crisis
Zimbabwe’s Road to Freedom and Land Reclamation
Sources:
Sunday Tribune, August 14, 2005.
Fowale, Tongkeh Joseph. “The Politics of Land Reforms in Zimbabwe 1980-2005: International Responses.” 2006.
The Washington Times. May 12, 2000.
Zim Online. August 19, 2005.
“Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth: A brief historical review.” Human Rights Initiative, September 2005.
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