ABSTRACT
The political and economic contours of present-day Zimbabwe present a country at war with itself. The political elite are arrayed against its people, civil-military relations are at a nadir, and militarism, intimidation, paranoia and fear engulf Zimbabwean society. The political leadership has lost legitimacy and lacks the confidence to govern. The prevailing crisis has raised questions about the effectiveness and relevance of regional institutions such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in defending human rights abuses and ensuring the rule of law among member countries.
