African Journal of
Political Science and International Relations

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pol. Sci. Int. Relat.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0832
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPSIR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 403

Full Length Research Paper

On the brink of an Arab spring-style conflict: Zimbabwe’s quagmire and policy options

Torque Mude
  • Torque Mude
  • Midlands State University Lecturer of International Relations, Zimbabwe.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 05 July 2016
  •  Accepted: 25 July 2016
  •  Published: 31 January 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the political and economic challenges facing Zimbabwe in relation to the potential of generating a violent uprising resembling the Arab Spring civil conflicts. Zimbabwe is in a quagmire due to security, political and economic upheavals that have bedeviled the Southern African country since the end of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2013. The government seems to be reluctant to acknowledge the magnitude of the situation and let alone address it. That is the most worrisome thing. If the situation continues unabated, these problems have a potential of generating a violent uprising whose course and effects could equate those that hit North African states since 2010. Data for this study was gathered from secondary data sources including desktop research, books, newspapers and journal articles.

Key words: Arab Spring, peace, security, Zimbabwe.