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At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was one of Africa’s most prosperous countries, and was considered the breadbasket of Africa. As recently as 1997, it was twice as rich as the median sub-Saharan country. But Zimbabwe now faces economic collapse with 70% unemployment, triple digit inflation, and massive shortages of basic necessities like food and fuel. The people of Zimbabwe now suffer from greater risk of famine than any other country in the drought-plagued southern Africa region. After a series of elections in the last few years widely believed to have been rigged, Mugabe has also secured his political stronghold on the country by restricting freedom of speech, freedom of the press, academic freedom, freedom of assembly, and harrassing supporters of opposition parties.
Photo Credit: USAID
Sources: CIA World Fact Book, www.migrationinformation.org
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