Land reform in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, the question of land distribution and redistribution (land reform) was perhaps the most crucial and the most bitterly contested political issue today. However, moves since May 2005, by the Mugabe regime to move disaffected urban MDC supporters out into the rural areas by intimedation and violence (aka Operation Murumbutvina, otherwise known as Operation "Cleaning

Land reform elsewhere

Many Africans view land reform as an essential component of decolonization. Land reform was an important step in achieving economic development in many Third World countries since the post-World War II period, especially in the East Asian Tigers and "Tiger Cubs" nations such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Since mainland China's economic reforms led by Deng Xiaoping land reforms have also played a key role in the development of the People's Republic of China. What remains controversial in Mugabe's Zimbabwe is the manner of the land reform, its haphazard nature and the widespread suspicion that it is being used to reward Mugabe supporters and attack his opponents, with others (including thousands of black Africans who worked the white owned farms and those experiencing famine) losing out.

Related Topics:
Land reform - Third World - World War II - East Asian Tigers - Taiwan - South Korea - Malaysia - Mainland China - Deng Xiaoping - People's Republic of China

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Currently (as of 2004), Zimbabwe suffers from widespread food shortages, an inflation rate of over 600% (Update: Inflation as of June 2005 has surpassed 1000%, and is expected to double in the next 6-8 months), and a bitter political struggle turned violent between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change which has faced imprisonment and torture. Domestic and international critics lay much of the blame for the current chaos at the feet of the land reform program. Many Zimbabwean refugees have fled to South Africa or Mozambique.

Related Topics:
2004 - Inflation - ZANU-PF - Movement for Democratic Change - South Africa - Mozambique

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