Zimbabwe Passport

[Country Name] The Republic of Zimbabwe.

【 Area 】 390000 square kilometers.

The population is 15.18 million. The main ethnic groups are Shona (84.5%) and Ndebele (14.9%). The official languages are English, Shona, and Ndebele. 85% of residents believe in Christianity, and 5% believe in traditional African religions. (According to Zimbabwe's 2022 Population and Housing Census report)

Harare, the capital, has a population of 2.43 million.

[Head of State] President Emmerson Mnangagwa took office on November 24, 2017 and was re elected in August 2018 and August 2023.

[Important Festival] Independence Day: April 18th; Hero's Day: Second Monday of August; National Defense Day: Second Tuesday of August; Unity Day: December 22nd.

[Overview] A landlocked country in southeastern Africa. It is adjacent to Mozambique in the east, South Africa in the south, and Botswana and Zambia in the west and northwest. Belonging to tropical grassland climate, with an average annual temperature of 22 ℃; The highest temperature is in October, with an average of 32 ℃; The lowest temperature is in July, with an average of 13-17 ℃.

A centralized state began to form around 1100 AD. In the 13th century, the Karen people established the Kingdom of Monomatapa, which reached its peak in the early 15th century. In 1890, it became a colony of the British South Africa Company and was named Southern Rhodesia in 1895. In 1923, the British government took over the area and granted it "Dominion" status. In 1953, the United Kingdom merged Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and Nyasaland (now Malawi) into the "Central African Federation". At the end of 1963, the 'federation' disintegrated. In 1964, the white right-wing forces in Southern Rhodesia formed a government led by Ian Smith and declared independence in November 1965. In the 1960s, the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZANU-PU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PU) were successively established to carry out armed struggles against white racist rule. In 1979, various factions in Zimbabwe convened the London Constituent Assembly under the auspices of the United Kingdom. At the end of February 1980, parliamentary elections were held, and Mugabe's Democratic League won. On April 18th of the same year, Zimbabwe gained independence and established its name as the Republic of Zimbabwe.

After independence, the political situation remained stable for a long time. From 2000 to 2002, the Tianjin government implemented the "Rapid Land Reform Plan" by expropriating white land for the resettlement of black farmers who had no or little land, leading to intensified social conflicts, economic decline, political and economic crises, and sharp opposition between the ruling and opposition parties. Western countries have imposed a series of "precise sanctions" on Zimbabwe, including economic sanctions and a ban on entry for high-ranking officials. They support the opposition party and demand that President Mugabe step down.

On March 29, 2008, Tianjin held a "three in one" election for the president, parliament, and local government. In the parliamentary elections for the House of Representatives, the Democratic League lost for the first time to the Tsvangirai faction of the Democratic Revolution Movement, losing its majority of seats. In the presidential election, Tsvangirai, the candidate of the Tsvangirai faction of the Democratic Revolution Movement, received 47.9% of the vote, while Mugabe, the candidate of the Democratic League, received 43.2% of the vote. The election results were not announced in a timely manner and thus sparked controversy. Due to both candidates not receiving a majority of votes, a second round of presidential elections was held in Zimbabwe on June 27, 2008. Tsvangirai withdrew before the election, and Mugabe was elected with 85.5% of the vote, but the opposition and Western countries did not recognize it. On September 15th, under the mediation of South African President Mbeki, the Zimbabwe Democratic League, the Democratic Revolution Movement Tsvangirai faction, and the Democratic Revolution Movement Mutambara faction signed the Comprehensive Political Agreement to form a coalition government. On February 13, 2009, the Tianjin United Government was established. Mugabe continues to serve as president, Tsvangirai serves as prime minister, and the president of the Muslim faction of the National Revolutionary Movement, Mutambara, and the deputy president of the Tsz faction, Kupe, serve as deputy prime ministers. After the establishment of the Tianjin United Government, it operated normally and the domestic situation was basically stable. On July 31, 2013, Tianjin held a "three in one" election for the president, parliament, and local government. Mugabe defeated Tsvangirai with 61% of the vote (about 34% of the vote) and was elected as the new president of Zimbabwe. The Democratic Party led by Mugabe won more than two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives. On August 22nd, President Mugabe was sworn in.

In November 2017, there was a sudden change in the political situation in Zimbabwe. Under pressure from all parties, Mugabe resigned from the presidency and Mnangagwa became president. On July 30, 2018, Zimbabwe held the "three in one" presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, and Mnangagwa was elected president with 50.8% of the vote. On August 26th, President Mnangagwa was sworn in. The Democratic League has won more than two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives. On August 23, 2023, Zimbabwe held a "three in one" election for president, parliament, and local government. Mnangagwa was re elected as president with 52.6% of the vote. On September 4th, Mnangagwa was sworn in.

The first constitution was formulated in December 1979 by the major political parties in Zimbabwe at the Constitutional Convention held at Lancaster House in London under the auspices of the United Kingdom. It came into effect upon independence and has been amended several times since then. The Constitution stipulates that Zimbabwe implements a presidential cabinet system. In 2005, the National Assembly passed Constitutional Amendment No. 17, which added a Senate and established a bicameral system for the Tianjin parliament. In 2007, the Tianjin parliament passed the 18th constitutional amendment, which stipulated that the presidential term would be changed from 6 years to 5 years, the same as the term of members of parliament; The presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections will be held simultaneously, and adjustments will be made to the number and selection method of parliamentary seats. According to the power sharing agreement signed by the two parties and three parties in Tianjin on September 15, 2008, the Tianjin parliament passed the 19th constitutional amendment in February 2009, establishing the framework structure of a coalition government and completing the formulation of a new constitution within two years of the establishment of the Tianjin coalition government. In March 2013, the draft constitution of Zimbabwe was successfully passed through a national referendum and signed into effect by President Mugabe in May. The new constitution imposes restrictions on the president's power, stipulating that the president's term of office shall not exceed two terms (effective after ten years), and major decisions such as dissolving parliament must be passed by a two-thirds majority of parliament.

The current parliament will be elected in August 2023 and inaugurated on September 7th. The House of Representatives has 280 seats and the Senate has 80 seats. Speaker of the House Jacob Mudenda (Democratic Party) took office in September 2013 and was re elected in September 2018 and September 2023. Senate Speaker Mabel Chinomona (Democratic League, female) took office in September 2018 and was re elected in September 2023.

The government implements a presidential cabinet system, with cabinet members appointed by the president. The new cabinet will be formed in September 2023, with the following main members: President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Defense Oppah Muchinghuri Kashiri, Minister of Public Services, Labour and Social Welfare July Moyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Frederick Shava, and Minister of Skills Assessment and Development Paul Mavi. Paul Mavima, Minister of Commerce Mangaliso Ndlovu, Minister of Interior and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe, Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher Education, Innovation and Technology Development; Torerayi Moyo, Minister of Basic Education; Anxious Masuka, Minister of Land, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Resources and Rural Development; Winston Chitando, Minister of Mineral and Mining Development; Edgar Moyo, Minister of Energy and Electricity Development; Felix Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development; Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Communications and Broadcasting Services; Tatenda Maweitra, Minister of Information, Communications and Postal Services. Mavtera, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Conservation Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire, Minister of Tourism and Reception Barbara Rwozi, Minister of Sports, Entertainment and Arts Kirsty Coventry, Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Women's Affairs, Community and Small and Medium sized Enterprise Development Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of National Housing and Social Welfare Soda Zhenmu, Minister of Health and Child Welfare Douglas Mombesora, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, Veterans Minister Christopher Mutsvangawa, Lovemore Matuke, Minister of Provincial Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

In February 2004, the national administrative divisions were adjusted from 8 provinces to 10 provinces, with the names of each province being: Manicaland, Masholand East, Masholand Central, Masholand West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Harare, and Bulawaya.

The head of the judiciary in Tianjin is the Chief Justice, as well as the head of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, appointed by the President. The current Chief Justice Luke Malaba took office in March 2017. The judicial system consists of the following courts: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, High Court, Labor Court, Administrative Court, District Court, Common Law Court, etc. Prosecutor General Virginia Mabhiza, female, will take office in November 2023.

Political parties implement a multi-party system. The main political parties are:

(1) The Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, also known as the Democratic Union, has been in power since Zimbabwe's independence. Established on August 8, 1963, it merged with the Zimbabwe African People's Union in 1987 and remains known as the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, with approximately 3.64 million party members (as of September 2021). The purpose of the Party is to establish and maintain a socialist society based on our history, culture, and social reality, and to create conditions for achieving economic independence, prosperity, and equal distribution of national wealth. In December 2017, the Democratic League held a national congress, and Mnangagwa was appointed as the party chairman and first secretary. In the same month, Chiwenga and Mohadi were appointed as Vice Chairmen and Second Secretary. In October 2022, the NLD held the seventh National People's Congress, and Mnangaguwa was re elected as the Party's chairman and first secretary.

(2) The Movement for Democratic Change, also known as the Democratic Revolution Movement, was once the largest opposition party. Established in Harare in September 1999, it received support from the majority of urban residents and some white people. Since 2001, its candidates have been elected as mayors of Masvingo, Bravayo, Harare and other cities. In the presidential election held in March 2002, its candidate received 42% of the vote. In the second half of 2005, the Democratic Progressive Movement was embroiled in internal disputes over whether to participate in the Senate elections, and split into the "candidate faction" and the "boycott faction" in early 2006. Both factions claim to be orthodox members of the Democratic Progressive Movement and elect their own organizational structures. The chairman of the 'Boycott' faction is Morgan Tsvangirai. The chairman of the "candidate faction" was originally Arthur Mutambara. In January 2011, the faction held a national congress and elected Newby, the former Secretary General of the party and Minister of Industry and Commerce of the coalition government, as the new chairman. Afterwards, the 'Mu faction' was renamed as the 'Niu faction'. From October 31 to November 1, 2014, the Democratic Progressive Movement held its fourth National Congress, and Tsvangirai was re elected as the party's chairman. In February 2018, Tsvangirai passed away, and the former vice chairman of the Tsz faction, Chamisa, joined forces with party leaders such as Muzori to complete the integration of party power. In March of the same year, Chamisa was appointed as the chairman of the Tsz faction. But another former vice chairman of the Tsz faction, Kupe, does not recognize Chamisa's leadership position and continues to use the Tsz party emblem. Before the July 2018 general election, Chamisa led the Tsz faction to unite with six other small parties, including the Niwa faction, to form the Democratic Revolutionary Movement Alliance and became its presidential candidate. In the presidential election, Chamisa came in second with 44.3% of the vote. In January 2021, the Democratic Progressive Movement held a special party congress and Douglas Mwonzora was elected as the new chairman.

(3) Citizens Coalition for Change, also known as the Public Revolutionary Alliance, is the largest opposition party. On January 24, 2022, Chamisa, the leader of the Democratic Revolutionary Alliance, announced the formation of the Public Revolutionary Alliance. On March 26, in the parliamentary and local government by elections, the Public Revolutionary Alliance won 19 parliamentary seats and 75 local government seats controlled by the Democratic Revolutionary Alliance. In the August 2023 election, Chamisa ranked second with 44% of the vote. In January 2024, Chamisa announced his withdrawal from the party.

[Important Person] Emerson Mnangagwa: President, Chairman of the Democratic League, and First Secretary. Born in September 1942. Participated in the struggle for national independence in Tianjin in the early years. After Tianjin's independence in 1980, he served as Minister of National Security, Minister of Justice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Acting Minister of Finance, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Rural Housing and Social Harmony, Minister of National Defense, Minister of Justice, and other positions. From December 2014, he served as Vice President and Minister of Justice, Vice Chairman and Second Secretary of the Democratic League. From October to November 2017, he was successively dismissed from his positions as Minister of Justice, Vice President, Vice President and Second Secretary of the Democratic League, and expelled from the party. After a sudden change in the political situation in Tianjin, he resumed his position as Vice Chairman and Second Secretary of the Democratic League on November 19th. On November 24th, he assumed the presidency. Elected as re elected president in August 2018 and August 2023.

Constantino Chiwenga: Vice President, Vice Chairman and Second Secretary of the Democratic League. Born in July 1956. Joined the Democratic League in 1973. Received military training in Zambia and Tanzania. In 1978, he was appointed as the Deputy Political Commissar of the highest military command of the Democratic League. Since 1981, he has served as the Commander of the Tianjin Army Brigade, Director of the Logistics Bureau of the Army Command, Chief of Staff of the Army, and Commander of the Army. In 2004, he was appointed as the Commander of the National Defense Forces and promoted to the rank of General. In December 2017, he stepped down as the Commander of the National Defense Forces and retired from active service, serving as Vice President and Minister of Defense and Veterans, Vice Chairman and Second Secretary of the Democratic League. Re elected as Vice President in September 2023.

【 Economy 】 Rich in natural resources, with a good foundation in industry and agriculture, and sufficient self-sufficiency in grain during normal years, it was once the world's third largest tobacco exporting country. Since 2000, the economy has significantly shrunk due to Western sanctions imposed on the implementation of the "Rapid Land Reform Plan". Shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, and essential goods, soaring inflation rates, and a large influx of people into neighboring countries. After March 2008, the economic situation further deteriorated, and by the end of that year, the economy had basically collapsed. Key departments such as finance, banking, and taxation had basically stopped operating, and social public management functions such as water and electricity, communication, healthcare, and education were almost paralyzed. After the establishment of the coalition government in February 2009, the economic situation improved somewhat. Since 2016, economic difficulties have intensified and there has been a severe shortage of liquidity. After the establishment of the Mnangagwa government in December 2017, efforts were made to build a "new economic order", but persistent problems such as weak production and investment, trade deficits, tight liquidity, high debt levels, and inflation still exist. In April 2024, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced the issuance of a new currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), to replace the Zimbabwean dollar, with an exchange rate of 13.56 Zimbabwean gold to 1 US dollar. According to official data released by Tianjin, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at a rate of 5.5% in 2023.

The main economic indicators for 2022 are as follows: (data from the London Economic Quarterly Review)

Gross Domestic Product (nominal): 25 billion US dollars.

Economic growth rate (actual): 3.4%.

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: 1634 US dollars

Inflation rate: 103.7%

Total external debt: 14.2 billion US dollars

Natural resources are abundant, including coal, chromium, iron, platinum, gold, diamonds, etc. The coal reserves are about 27 billion tons. The iron ore reserves are about 30 billion tons. Platinum and chromite reserves rank second in the world, while diamond and lithium reserves are relatively large. The industrial forest area is 115000 hectares.

The industrial categories mainly include metals and metal processing, food processing, petrochemicals, beverages and cigarettes, textiles and clothing, papermaking and printing. The industrial workforce accounts for about 15% of the total labor force, while the mining workforce accounts for about 4.5%. After the establishment of the Jinxin government, a mining investment conference was held to promote the reform of state-owned enterprises, prioritize the development of mining and manufacturing industries, establish gold processing centers, introduce measures for ore mining, and increase the added value of mineral product exports.

Agriculture and animal husbandry mainly produce corn, tobacco, cotton, flowers, etc., while animal husbandry mainly focuses on raising cattle. The cultivated area is 33.28 million hectares, and the agricultural population accounts for 67% of the national population.

4.5% of the total labor force in Tianjin is engaged in the tourism industry, while another 4% is engaged in related industries. There are over 70 star rated hotels across the country. The most famous scenic spot is Victoria Falls, as well as 26 national parks and wildlife reserves. In August 2013, Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly hosted the 20th United Nations Tourism Organization Conference.

Transportation is mainly by railway, road, and air, while sea transportation mainly passes through Durban Port in South Africa (1700 kilometers from Harare) and Beira Port in Mozambique (600 kilometers from Harare). The railway leads to South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana.

Railway: The total length is 4300 kilometers, of which 300 kilometers from Harare to DABUKA are electrified railways. Highway: With a total length of 85000 kilometers, 19000 kilometers are national level highways and 15000 kilometers are asphalt roads.

Air freight: Zimbabwe Airlines has operated multiple international and domestic routes. There are three international airports, namely Harare, Bravayo, and Victoria Falls Airport.

The main exports of foreign trade are tobacco, gold, and ferroalloys, while the main imports are machinery, industrial products, and chemical products. We have trade relations with approximately 27 countries or regions. The import and export volume in recent years is as follows (in millions of US dollars):