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Zimbabwe

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Zimbabwe

President Robert Mugabe Parliament Senate House of Assembly 2007 political crisis Political parties: ZANU-PF - MDC Elections: Pres.: 2002 - 2010 Parl.: 2005 - 2010 Provinces Districts Municipalities Human rights Foreign relations

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Since independence, Zimbabwe has enunciated and followed a policy of "active nonalignment." In practice, this has meant that Zimbabwe usually adheres to positions established by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union; or the Commonwealth of Nations (no longer a member). Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the front-line states in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against Pretoria. In November 1982, Zimbabwe was chosen by the OAU to hold one of the nonpermanent seats in the UN Security Council for the following two years, which brought it onto the center stage of world events and gave it much-needed experience in international affairs. In 1986, Zimbabwe was the site of the NAM summit meeting; Prime Minister Mugabe became chairman of that organization, giving both Mugabe and Zimbabwe added international visibility and responsibility.

Zimbabwe maintains embassies in the United States, United Kingdom, Egypt, Angola, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, India, Sweden, France, China, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Namibia, Swaziland, Belgium, Tanzania, Botswana, Serbia, Mozambique, Switzerland, Cuba, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, and South Africa. Sixty-six countries are represented in Harare as are several international organizations including UN institutions, the European Union, and the World Bank. Zimbabwe is a member of many international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF); African Development Bank; Southern African Development Community (SADC); Preferential trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (PTA); African Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP, in association with the EU); Group of 77 (G-77); Group of 15 (G-15); NAM; OAU (African Union); Customs Cooperation Council (CCC); and the World Federation of Trade Unions. Shortly after the March 2002 presidential election, the Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe from leadership councils for one year after the Commonwealth's election observer team found the conduct of the election seriously flawed. Denmark closed its embassy in Harare following the elections, citing the reports of the international observers.

Following incidents in which he was detained for allegedly entering a security zone and accusations from the Zimbabwe government that he was "fomenting revolt" by publicly condemning the policies of the Mugabe administration[1], the Ambassador of the United States of America to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell, was recalled to Washington on November 9, 2005 for "consultations." It is not known if or when he will return to his post.[2]

A dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge.

Zimbabwe is considered a significant transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets [3].