An Evaluation of the Zimbabwean Government of National Unity (2008-2013)

The Zimbabwean Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed following the political violence after the disputed 2008 Harmonised Elections. Three major political parties in Zimbabwe, namely ZANU PF, MDC T and MDC M signed the Global Political Agreement (GPA) on 15 September 2008. The GNU was necessitated by power struggles between political parties, decline in the provision of social services, poverty, hunger, failure to govern the country, abuse of power by politicians, no respect for rule of law and the declining economy among other issues. The GNU was mandated to come up with a new people driven constitution to prepare for free and fair elections, look at other issues such as land question, sanctions, security sector reforms, eradication of politically motivated violence and human rights abuse. This paper argues that all political parties should have implement the agreed GPA facets, the constitution making process should have been completed in time, power imbalances between political parties should have been addressed and the rule of law observed. The paper further recommends that International and Regional institutions should have continued assisting and monitoring the implementation of the GPA in Zimbabwe.