1/10 In a short thread I will address a common misconception that under the Government of National Unity (GNU), Zimbabwe achieved credible reforms & human rights respect. It was a illusion of reform while repression continued.

2/10 The so-called unity government, whose partners were anything but united, consisting of ZANU-PF & the two MDCs, failed to hold accountable those responsible for past human rights abuses, including during the 2008 electoral violence.

3/10 The GNU failed to reform key state institutions responsible for the administration of justice, which remained highly politicized & extremely partisan towards ZANU-PF.

4/10 The formation of the unity government left ZANU-PF – because of their control of key government ministries including defense, state security & justice – with significantly greater power than the MDC, which was used to frustrate or stop crucial reforms.

5/10 Zimbabwe’s GNU failed to ensure that qualified, non-partisan individuals are appointed to run governance institutions, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the judiciary, & the security sector.

6/10 In the GNU, the MDC called for the recruitment of new staff to ensure non-partisanship & transparency, but ZANU-PF refused; MDC called for security forces to publicly commit to respect the constitution & the rule of law – a call rejected by ZANU-PF outright.

7/10 ZANU-PF actively resisted genuine & comprehensive institutional reforms to end the pro-ZANU-PF partisanship of key state institutions such as the security forces, electoral management bodies & public broadcasters to create a environment conducive for credible elections.

8/10 The bulk of political violence & other abuses in Zimbabwe involves state security agents, & is fueled by the failure of the police & the judiciary to hold accountable the perpetrators of serious abuses and provide justice for victims.

9/10 To this day, Zimbabwe authorities have not instituted measures to prevent the security forces—particularly the military, the police, & state intelligence agents—from unduly influencing the electoral process through violence & intimidation.

10/10 A central aspect of any meaningful reform should focus on appointing to key positions in government highly qualified & politically independent individuals particularly in the army, police, prosecution, & electoral commission (ZEC). The GNU failed that.