An investigation into the reasons for the souring of relations between Zimbabwe and Britain (from 2000 to 2008)

Abstract

The relations between Zimbabwe and Britain can be traced back to the pre-independence era where the current conflict is rooted from given the fact that the protracted war of liberation had its primary cause glued to land .Land resource has been at the heart of conflict between Zimbabwe and Britain dating back from the colonial era when land was seized from the Zimbabwean community by the British settlers , in the same vain legislative frameworks were set up such as the Land Apportionment Act and Animal Husbandry Act to change the land allocation set up that was culturally and communally determined .When Zimbabwe attained independence there was some eagerness to get back the land and when the agreements made at the Lancaster House Conference in 1979 faltered the result was fatal as relations turned out sour and as a consequence both parties (Zimbabwe and Britain ) played the demonization and confrontational game . Zimbabwe was accused of policy inconsistence as well as breaching the willing buyer willing seller provisions of the Lancaster House constitution that only allowed the acquisition of land on compensation basis , while Britain was heavily criticised for failing to honour her obligations which she promised at Lancaster House . Divergent interests between these two state actors have spoiled the cordial relations that once existed between them and this study has however noted out other factors that resultantly led to the souring of relations between Zimbabwe and Britain in the specified period (2000-2008) .Amongst the factors that led to confrontation between these two states include the fast track land reform program , foreign policy shift by Britain concerning Zimbabwe’s land redistribution exercise and costs , economic sanctions .Also the research has identified various recommendations that can help warm the cold relations that exist between Zimbabwe and Britain amongst them is the need for both parties to reengage for meaningful and peaceful talks which ought to be guided by an interim committee that will stand as a mediator between these two hostile camps,the need to remove sanctions and the need to uphold human rights and good governance