According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Zimbabwe’s risk
profile of possible unrest is further fuelled by grinding poverty faced
by the majority of the population in the country.
"A constitutional review process, rampant corruption in government and
a general breakdown of the rule of law has deepened Zimbabwe’s exposure
to social and political tension putting at risk the stability of the
coalition government," the EIU has warned in a report.
The EIU is the business information arm of the group which publishes
the Economist. The group’s research and forecast on political, economic
and business conditions in more than 200 countries provides analysis on
worldwide market trends and business strategies.
The group’s report ranked Zimbabwe as a country with a high-risk
profile of political upheaval with an index score of 8.8. The EIU index
measures vulnerability on a scale of zero (no vulnerability) to 10
(highest vulnerability).
Zimbabwe’s coalition government has already been put to test by the
latest wave of farm invasions and the continued detention of opposition
and human rights activists in complete violation of the September 15
2008 unity government agreement.
Calls by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for an end to the latest push
to evict the last remaining white commercial farmers have been largely
ignored by hardliners in ZANU PF opposed to the unity deal and who have
seized farms recently.
Meanwhile, the unity administration has adopted a 100-day plan aimed at
mending ties with the West after years of isolation in a bid to woo
direct financial aid to kick-start an economic revival process.
The unity government insists that during the 100 days it will restore
human rights, address security concerns, repeal harsh media laws and
re-engage the international community.
The government said it was keen to normalise relations with the
European Union, Britain, the United States and the white Commonwealth
nations that have been Robert Mugabe’s harshest critics over his
misrule.
However, Western nations have said that they want the unity government
to submit a credible economic recovery programme, implement genuine
political and economic reforms before providing direct financial aid to
Zimbabwe.
ZimOnline
Post published in: News