INDEPTH: ZIMBABWE
A modern timeline
CBC News Online | March 30, 2005
Nov. 11, 1965:
After the failure of negotiations with Britain aimed at granting Rhodesia independence, Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith issues a unilateral declaration of independence. The white minority controls the government and the economy. The international community imposes economic sanctions.
March 1970:
Rhodesia becomes a republic. The United States closes its embassy in Salisbury (now Harare). The U.S. and the U.K. veto a United Nations resolution calling for mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia.
Dec. 21, 1972:
Guerrillas attack a white farm, marking the beginning of a seven-year bush war for majority rule.
February 1979:
The first universal-suffrage election in Rhodesia's history brings Bishop Abel Muzorewa to power. He is to take over as prime minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia on June 1, 1979.
Dec. 21, 1979:
The Lancaster House agreement is signed, paving the way for new elections and independence from the U.K. The agreement was signed between the Patriotic Front (PF), consisting of ZAPU (Zimbabwe African Peoples Union) and ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) and the Rhodesian government, represented by Muzorewa and Ian Smith.
February 1980:
Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) win 57 out of 60 seats in an election for what would be an independent Zimbabwe's first majority rule government. Twenty seats were reserved for the whites for the next five years.
April 18, 1980:
Zimbabwe officially gains independence from the U.K. A coalition government led by ZANU leader Robert Mugabe as prime minister takes power. His rival – Zimbabwe African People's Union leader Joshua Nkomo – is included in cabinet.
1982:
Nkomo is ousted from the cabinet, accused by Mugabe of plotting a coup. The move sparks a five-year battle between the two former rebel groups. But by 1988, the two sides reconcile and their parties merge to form ZANU-PF.
Sept. 11, 1999:
Movement for Democratic Change is formed.
Feb. 12-13, 2000:
Mugabe's first election setback: Zimbabweans vote against a new constitution that would increase the powers of the president. Later that month, Mugabe refuses to intervene as groups of "war veterans" begin seizing white-owned farms.
June 8, 2000:
Mugabe tells an election rally that all white-owned farms can be seized and given to landless blacks.
June 24-25, 2000:
The ruling ZANU-PF is stunned as MDC wins 57 of the 120 seats up for grabs in parliamentary elections. ZANU-PF takes 62 seats and ZANU-N wins one. ZANU-PF and MDC are virtually tied in the popular vote.
May 11, 2001:
Ottawa cuts off development aid to Zimbabwe as a protest against Mugabe's tacit approval of the harassment of white farmers.
June 29, 2001:
Zimbabwe increases the number of white-owned farms it plans to seize to 5,000 despite a series of court rulings that the land seizures are illegal.
Jan. 11, 2002:
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu says Mugabe's recent human rights record is a disgrace. He calls the Zimbabwean president "almost a caricature of the kind of leader that the world thinks African leaders tend to be."
Jan. 31, 2002:
New legislation restricts the rights of the media. The legislation requires all journalists to be licensed by a state-appointed commission.
Feb. 25, 2002:
Mugabe's chief rival in presidential elections two weeks away – Morgan Tsvangirai – is charged with high treason for allegedly plotting to assassinate Mugabe.
March 9-11, 2002:
Robert Mugabe wins a third term as president in an election that is widely described as fraudulent. Official results give him 57 per cent of the vote.
March 19, 2002:
The Commonwealth suspends Zimbabwe because the vote was marred by "a high level of politically motivated violence."
Dec. 7, 2003:
Zimbabwe quits the Commonwealth.
Oct. 15, 2004:
Tsvangirai is cleared of charges of high treason.
March 18, 2005:
Zimbabwe's Supreme Court bars expatriates from voting in parliamentary elections scheduled for March 31, 2005. The move means up to 20 per cent of previously eligible voters would not be allowed to cast their ballots.
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Area: 390,580 sq km
Pop: 12,671,860 (2004 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 37.82 years
People living with HIV/Aids: 2.3 million (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 70 per cent
Inflation rate (2003): 385%
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Independence: April 18, 1980 (from UK)
House of Assembly: 150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 30 appointed by the president)
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