Spotlight: guiding post-Mugabe policy in Zimbabwe

ISS experts provided running analysis and advice on the rapidly unfolding events in November 2017.

Published on 21 February 2018 in Impact

When dramatic and unexpected political events take place, it is vital that policy makers, diplomats, the media and the public have the right information at the right time to help formulate their responses.

The rapidly unfolding events in Zimbabwe in November last year saw president Robert Mugabe resign after 37 years in power. In the run up to Mugabe’s resignation, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) staff based in Harare and Pretoria provided a broad range of stakeholders with up-to-the minute analysis and commentary.

‘We conducted over 80 media interviews on Zimbabwe in November alone,’ says Stephanie Wolters, head of ISS’ Peace and Security Research Programme. ‘We also convened a dozen briefings to over 50 regional and international stakeholders, including Harare-based diplomats.’

'Our experts are from Africa and are based in the countries they report on'

An ISS seminar, which was webcast live, featured a panel of three experts who debated the likely policy direction of Zimbabwe’s incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. ‘This seminar was extremely useful and thorough. It will help us a lot with our internal analysis of the evolving Zimbabwe situation,’ said a participant from the South African National Defence Force. The video of this seminar has been viewed more than 15 000 times – the highest audience rating for any ISS video.

ISS’ public commentary and analysis is timely, independent and sensitive to the African context. ‘Our experts are from Africa and are based in the countries they report on,’ says Wolters. ‘Policy makers, diplomats and the media approach us because our analysis is based on sound research and is backed by 25 years’ experience working in Africa.’

Between 13 and 30 November 2017, the ISS’ analysis of Zimbabwe’s long-awaited transition was cited in over 3 200 media articles in English, 2 000 of which were recorded in one day alone. ISS commentary was also mentioned in over 600 articles in French.

ISS commentary covered Zimbabwe’s constitutional issues around the military intervention, and the mechanisms for a transition. A new ISS report on 2018 election prospects contributed to understanding the implications of the coup for the forthcoming poll. Two ISS View on Africa online briefings took place in Harare during November.

ISS media mentions: 13 – 30 November 2017