Zimbabwe - February 2025

Political violence surged in February, driven by rising political tensions over attempts by some within the ruling Zanu-PF party to extend President Mnangagwa’s term beyond the constitutionally mandated limit. These efforts, known as the ‘2030 agenda’, have split the party, pitting Mnangagwa and his allies against another faction led by his vice president. The agenda has also drawn criticism from the political opposition and civil society and has increasingly destabilised the country. The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), an NGO, reported that 7,292 people had been affected by human rights violations in February, up from 3,161 in January 2025 and 1,460 in December 2024. These violations included threats of violence, politically motivated assaults, unfair distribution of food aid, and restrictions on freedom of assembly, association and expression. The majority of abuses were perpetrated by people connected to Zanu-PF and while most victims were politically unaffiliated, ZPP noted an increase in intra-party violence within the ruling party. 

Sources: ISS Africa, Africa Confidential, Zimbabwe Peace Project (1), Zimbabwe Peace Project (2), Zimbabwe Peace Project (3)