Publication

This brief discusses prospects for the coalition formed in February 2009 between Zimbabwe's long-ruling ZANU-PF party and the two factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). It argues that there are signs that a more constructive political dynamic is developing, including within the parliament, the one institution with some democratic (if imperfect) legitimacy and where cross-party collaboration will be needed to pass major reform legislation. On the other hand, the humanitarian and economic situations are said to remain dire, and the brief states that it would be premature for the US, the EU and others to remove the targeted sanctions (travel bans, asset freezes) against key members of the Mugabe regime or to fully embrace the inclusive government.