The result of the presidential elections 2002 was a setback  to hopes for a liberal democracy and free market reforms in Zimbabwe. President Robert Mugabe remained further six years in the office owing to various manipulations, direct intimidations and force. All independent observers stress the fact that the election was rigged. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation itself can rely on own data: a partner organization had positioned 360 observers on the selection day in the field.

Zimbabwe has the fastest shrinking economy in the world. The tourism, manufacturing and mining sectors have been particularly devastated. Farming has almost come to a standstill - due to the conflict over commercial farm land and violence in the rural areas. Zimbabwe, once Africa's breadbasket, is now faced with food shortages. The unemployment rate is about 60-70 percent. Inflation and the already desperate poverty of many of Zimbabwe's people have implications on the stability of the whole Southern African region.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation and its partners in Zimbabwe made combined efforts in freedom and peace training against widespread political violence and the promotion of free market economy principles and values  in their National Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

To promote civic education among Zimbabwean communities FNF works together with Zimcet (Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust). Zimcet seeks to monitor and de-escalate in terms of political violence. Its peace-building programme brought together political parties, churches, war veterans, the police and traditional leaders to impart the message of peace. Zimcet activities spread over a wide part of Zimbabwe and immunised many communities against political violence. These activities are complimented by the provision of entrepreneurship training for unemployed youth. Friedrich Naumann Foundation supports Zimcet by strategic consultation and training seminars.

Zimcet itself is a member of the National Constitution Assembly (NCA) The NCA is a coalition of churches, civic groups, political parties and students which has launched a ''democratic'' draft constitution demanding that it be adopted before this year's presidential elections. The NCA spearheaded the successful campaign against a government-imposed new constitution in February 2000, which gave President Robert Mugabe his first-ever electoral defeat. The key difference in the NCA constitution is to limit the president to two, five-year terms of office and reduce his powers. Under the current constitution, there is no limit to the number of terms a president can serve. Robert Mugabe, 81, has ruled the country since independence in 1980. FNF has organized seminars for the NCA and a large number of other local organizations (students', women, business organizations) focused on strategic planning. 

Cooperation of FNF with the newly formed "National Association for the Advancement of Coloureds" (NAAC) is aimed at promoting and openly discussing minority rights and tolerance  in society.

For more informations about recent developments of the political situation in Zimbabwe please visit regularly our website:

www.fnf.org.za