As a political concept, encompasses the dispersion and decentralization of authority across various levels and entities within a government or society ( Kumar, 2018 ). This entails the allocation of power, responsibility, and decision-making capabilities to different stakeholders, including governmental bodies, political parties, ethnic or religious factions, and civil society organizations ( Brown & Johnson, 2019 ). Basing on this general conception, power-sharing involves oversight on ethnic difference and collaboration for a peaceful settlement like the settlement between The Ndebele tribe and the Shona tribe discussed in this research. It also involves participation of members from various political parties that participated during the elections.
Published in Chapter:
Strides and Struggles of Coalition Governments in Southern Africa: The Case for Zimbabwe
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 16
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1654-2.ch011
Abstract
Coalition governments have emerged as a mechanism for peaceful resolution following disputed elections, offering insights into addressing political disputes and legitimacy crises. In Zimbabwe, historical contexts such as the Gukurahundi War, which exacerbated tensions between the Ndebele and Shona communities, underscore the significance of coalition governance. The Unity Accord between ZANU-PF and PF-ZAPU provided temporary respite from tribal conflicts. Subsequently, the Government of National Unity (GNU) was established after the 2008 disputed election, aiming to transition towards fresh elections. Following Mugabe's tenure, Mnangagwa's victory amid accusations of election rigging prompted legal intervention. Mnangagwa's initiation of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) aimed to incorporate ideas from losing parties, yet faced rejection by the main opposition. Criticism of the 2023 elections has intensified calls for a transitional authority or another GNU to prepare for reruns. This research will employ qualitative analysis, including historical review and document analysis, to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of coalition governments in Africa. Findings aim to provide valuable insights for political actors to make informed decisions in navigating political transitions.