A modern history of a nation

By Sanya Burgess, Press Reporter

Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe led the country for 37 years after the independence of the white minority in 1980.

Initially considered a hero, his resignation last year was greeted after years of alleged electoral fraud, crackdown on the opposition, seizures of violent land, economic crisis and its evolution into de facto dictator.

Many hope that the sanctions imposed as a result of these actions will be lifted Monday after credible elections.

:: Back on the key moments that shaped Zimbabwe in the country that it is today:

The death of Zulu general Mzilikazi

Mzilikazi and his tribe finally settled in what is now known as Matabeleland in southwestern Zimbabwe today.

He organized his company into a military system and repelled the attacks of the Boers, Dutch-speaking settlers. 19659003] When Mzilikazi died in 1868, his son Lobengula succeeded him, who became the second and last king of the northern Ndebele people.

In 1888, the British Cecil Rhodes obtains from King Lobengula a concession for mining rights. He used it as a basis for obtaining a British Mandate for his British South Africa Company (BSAC) to colonize what became Southern Rhodesia.

Unsuccessful revolts were crushed by the invading population. The Ndebele and other indigenous groups were gradually displaced as European settlers arrived.

In 1923, Southern Rhodesia became an autonomous British colony after the end of the administration of the BSAC

.

Two decades later, in 1953, Great Britain created the Central African Federation. It was composed of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi)

In 1963, the Federation was dissolved and transformed into three colonies after concentrated black opposition [19659003] The Rhodesian Front, the white minority government led by Ian Smith, declared itself a republic in 1970.

The Republic of Rhodesia was not recognized internationally nor by the United Kingdom. International outrage was provoked and economic sanctions were applied.

The move to a republic sparked a civil war, with ZANU of Robert Mugabe and ZAPU of Joshua Nkomo getting help from other African governments in the fight. On June 1, 1979, Bishop Abel Muzorewa became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in Rhodesia after a transitional agreement was reached with the British.

He led the United African National Council (UANC), which ZANU and ZAPU both aligned.

Mugabe and Nkomo rejected the result of the election – to which they had not been allowed to participate because they continued to use weapons – and the civil war broke out.

Independence

Agreement on the internationally recognized majority rule in 1980, the United Kingdom ceremoniously granting the independence of Zimbabwe on 18 April 1999.

Part of the agreement saw Muzorewa accept the need for new elections in the early 1980s.

Mugabe seizes power

The British government, which had regained power during the intervening period, briefly considered disqualifying ZANU who used intimidation and flouted the rules of the agreement during the election campaign.

On March 4, 1980, Mugabe and ZANU won and Zimbabwe Rhodesia became the Republic of Zimbabwe, or more commonly known, Zimbabwe.

With Mugabe as prime minister, he brought Nkomo into his cabinet. It does not happen two years before Mugabe sacked him, accusing him of preparing to overthrow the government

Pro-Nkomo rebels see government forces accused of killing thousands of civilians over the next few years

1987 was a turning point in Zimbabwe's history: Mugabe and Nkomo merge their parties to create the Zanu-PF still in power. Mugabe changes constitution to become executive president

The country enters a great period of peace, with the Commonwealth's 1991 adoption of the Harare Declaration in Zimbabwe for international peace, security, democracy, democracy and individual freedom and equal rights.

Crisis in full swing

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Zimbabwe's economy began to deteriorate.

Riots and strikes allied with the country's involvement in the DRC's civil war caused Mugabe's popularity

to be lost. In the same year, hundreds of white farms were seized as activists claimed the land was being removed from invading settlers. The debate over land ownership will continue for the next two decades

The following year, the government is forced to recognize the economic crisis and warns against severe food shortages; Seizures of land have seen many Western donors cut off aid.

By the year 2002, press restrictions are being put in place. More sanctions are piling up and election observers are withdrawn by the EU

Mugable is re-elected, but the vote is viewed with suspicion and was marred by violence.

In 2003, when protesters took to the streets because of food shortages, there were arrests and beatings. An opposition politician is arrested and charged with treason.

Mugabe pulls the country from the Commonwealth that same year.

Zimbabwe is described as "merged" by UN humanitarian leader Jan Egeland in 2005, following a rigged election and a "cleansing" that has left a In the coming years, allegations that union leaders are being tortured are touted, a ban on rallies and demonstrations is imposed, large power cuts occur and attempts to delay elections – and extend Mugabe's power – for two years. The second round of the 2008 elections sees opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrawing a few days ago, citing intimidation tactics. More sanctions are applied. Inflation rates make Zimbabwe's currency almost worthless.

Many claim from the beginning that the same tactic is used in the next round of elections, which saw Mugabe start his seventh term. Zanu-PF won three quarters of the seats in parliament. Allegations of Fraud

In 2014, while Mugabe was 90 years old , his wife Grace, a political novice, is named as the next leader of the ruling Zanu-PF Women's League. The speculation that she is plotting to succeed to her husband is growing up.

Resignation

Mugabe resigns in November 2017 after the army took control of the country.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former confidant of Mugabe, becomes president

The historic elections of July 2018 will see Mnangagwa fight Nelson Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor, for leadership

The first time in nearly four decades that 's the first time. an election is held where Mugabe is not standing.