9781422277690

Mugabe’s ZANU was based largely on ethnicity. ZAPU drew its support from the Ndebele minority, which was concen- trated in southern and western Zimbabwe. ZANU, by contrast, represented the majority Shona, Mugabe’s ethnic group. After Nkomo’s dismissal, a civil war erupted.

Key Idea

Dictators often maintain the trap- pings of democracy, such as elec- tions and a representative legisla- ture. But they hold actual power.

The Fifth Brigade was deployed to help put down Ndebele rebels. It earned a reputation for targeting civilians. Fifth Brigade soldiers would enter villages, command residents to voice their support for Mugabe, and then torture several people in front of their families. Mugabe’s troops also routinely blocked the delivery of food supplies, causing civilians to starve to death. Zimbabwe’s civil war was finally brought to an end in 1987, when Mugabe and Nkomo agreed to merge their respective par- ties into the Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). That same year, Mugabe spearheaded a change to the country’s constitution. The position of prime minister was abolished in favor of a president, with Mugabe serving in that office. This and other changes to the constitu- tion concentrated more power in Mugabe’s hands. Meanwhile, government jobs increasingly went to Mugabe’s supporters. Many used their positions as a means to enrich themselves at the public’s expense. They doled out jobs to friends and relatives. Educated, qualified Zimbabweans were unable to find professional employment simply because

The Pursuit of Power

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