HISTORY AND THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, pages: 53 - 63, 2019

South Africa’s Mediation Surrounding the 2008 Elections in Zimbabwe

Abstract: The question of free and democratic elections in Zimbabwe is core to our present endeavour. We have analysed how South Africa mediated agreements between the political parties in Zimbabwe, resulting in a series of electoral reforms, decreased violence during the electoral process and, ultimately, a government of national unity. While the creation of an inclusive government formalized the success of South Africa as a mediating power, Zimbabwe was plagued by a struggle for power inside its central apparatus, whereby good governance principles were cast aside. Our research details the entire situation, ultimately providing an assessment based on several strings of IR theory and practice.