Zimbabwe
The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated to keep whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert Mugabe, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence.
Hundreds of farms have been seized by self-styled war veterans since February 2000 with support from the government. The government has been accused of a systematic campaign of harassment against opposition parties and election irregularities.
The land seizures have heightened tensions, soured the investment environment in the region and resulted in the deaths of a number of people, including farmers, farm workers and veterans. In recent years, government supporters have briefly occupied or otherwise disrupted operations at numerous factories and businesses in Harare and other urban areas. The government has refused to reign in the activity of pro-government militias, making clear that it does not have an overall commitment to the rule of law.
The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) under Mugabe's leadership has held power without serious challenge in the decades since independence. Despite the government's political supremacy, there is growing dissatisfaction with economic management with particular frustration at limited employment opportunities, falling living standards, skyrocketing inflation and deterioration in social services, from government bureaus to trash collection. Industrial unrest has grown across a broad section of industrial workers in pursuit of higher pay demands. The highly politicized police force, however, has brutally repressed dissent. Mugabe's economic policies are widely seen as being geared to short-term political expediency and the maintenance of his power.
There has been an increase in political and social tensions in urban areas, as well as in the level of violent crime. There is a continuing risk of violence at political demonstrations (mainly by the highly-politicized police force), but main tourist areas have been largely unaffected by political and social unrest. Tensions are particularly marked in the country's high-density suburbs, due to the government's "clean-up" campaign, which has rendered many homeless and without options.
Security forces are quick to harass foreigners, especially white people. Avoid engaging in overtly partisan political activity, or in any activities that could be construed as such. Even high-profile diplomats have been detained for seemingly petty reasons. Bear in mind that an open hand is the political symbol of the main opposition political party, the Movement for Democratic Change, and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted as a provocative gesture. Openly carrying independent newspapers or books by banned authors can provoke a hostile (and violent) reaction from government supporters.
The civil service is working on skeletal resources and low morale. The power supply sees frequent interruptions. Health care is notoriously ill-supplied and sees frequent strikes. Fuel can be scarce.
