What's Happening...in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe, a South African country, is facing one of its most extreme economic and human rights crises in over a decade. With the inflation leaping over 700%, a shortage in coinage, as well as not enough food and medicinal supplies, its people have begun protesting in the streets against the corrupt government, demanding their rights and freedom back.

Now you’re probably wondering… how did it get to this?

It all started in June 2019 when the Zimbabwe Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, backed by the government, dictated that the country would be making a switch from foreign currency, to RTGS dollars, a new Zimbabwean currency. This resulted in instant hyperinflation, or a sharp increase in prices and a fall in the value of money. By mid-June that same year, the inflation had reached to be 175% of what it originally was, and continued to rise at an exponential rate. In March 2020, inflation reached a high of 500% and by July 2020, it was estimated to be 737%.

Back in June and July 2019, many civilians began to voice concerns about this new period of hyperinflation, and many more blamed it on the Zimbabwean government, claiming it to be corrupt and greedy. The falling value in money had led to increased poverty, a lack of medicinal supplies, food shortages, and most prominent of all, protests. Many Zimbabweans had begun protesting on the streets, demanding that their government give them back their rights. They blamed the economic instability on their greediness to earn more money, and this led to a lack in freedom of speech.

They protested for political and economic stability, end of corruption, to put an end to human rights violations, as well as to instate a democracy.

The police shut down the city of Harare, the Zimbabwean capital as a response to the protests planned by the MDC Alliance, or Movement for Democratic Change, Alliance. Shops, banks, restaurants, and all other businesses within the CBD (central business district) were locked down.

The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa responded to the protests as well, saying that the economic reforms he had implanted were necessary and would eventually come to help the economy grow. He used nationalism and unity as his key factors in attempting to calm the public:

"The recent national holidays remind us that our strongest asset is our unity. I reiterate my calls to all opposition leaders that my door remains open and my arms remain outstretched. Riots and destructive violence must be rejected; peaceful constructive dialogue are the way forward.”

Armed police patrolled the CBD in an attempt to bring an end to the protests, claiming that they were only doing so to enforce coronavirus restrictions. However, their poor response to the pandemic prior to this situation revealed their substandard health care system, leading to further allegations of corruption.

Currently, Zimbabwe is considered to be one of the most food insecure countries in the world. The pandemic along with the inflation, leading into rising unemployment rates and poverty, has led to civil unrest.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Educate yourself.

2. Educate others, spread awareness.

3. Sign petitions:

   1. https://www.change.org/p/amnesty-international-stop-police-and-military-brutality-in-zimbabwe-ban-ed-mnangagwa-from-davos