Civil society and peacebuilding during Zimbabwe's government of national unity, 2009–2013

Civil society and peacebuilding during Zimbabwe's government of national unity, 2009–2013

Author: 
Ncube, Cornelias
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis Group
Date published: 
2014
Record type: 
Journal Title: 
African Security Review
Source: 
African Security Review, Vol. 23, Issue 3, September 2014, pp. 283-294
Abstract: 

This paper employs functionalist, transformative and peacebuilding approaches to explore the role played by civil society in peacebuilding during Zimbabwe's coalition government (2009–2013), under the Church and Civil Society Forum (CCSF). Through the functions of democratisation, socialisation and the rebuilding of communities, the various bottom-up peacebuilding initiatives under the CCSF framework rebuilt broken relationships, provided spaces of encounter between victims and perpetrators, and bridged the paradoxical values of mercy, justice, truth and peace in a context of deep political polarisation. Although the various peacebuilding activities were scattered and sporadic, they do provide a basis for nationwide replication under a ZANU-PF dominated government. The new 2013 constitution provides institutional opportunities for the formulation of a broader national framework for peacebuilding that synergises these efforts by civil society and a politically willing state.

Language: 
Country focus: 

CITATION: Ncube, Cornelias. Civil society and peacebuilding during Zimbabwe's government of national unity, 2009–2013 . : Taylor & Francis Group , 2014. African Security Review, Vol. 23, Issue 3, September 2014, pp. 283-294 - Available at: https://library.au.int/civil-society-and-peacebuilding-during-zimbabwes-government-national-unity-2009–2013-6