Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth

Date: 19 Mar 2002
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations after the country’s 2001 elections were found to be flawed by electoral observers. The elections were marred by politically motivated violence. The announcement was made by a troika of Commonwealth leaders that included then President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. The suspension meant that the country would be barred from Commonwealth meetings for a period of 12 months, with the opportunity for review at the end of 12 months when a decision would be taken based on the progress made by the country.

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01Mail Online. “Zimbabwe suspended from Commonwealth”,From: Mail Online, [online] Available at: www.dailymail.co.uk [Accessed on 3 March 2014]
02Kwatala S. and Oliver M. (20 March 2002), “Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth”, From The Guardian, [online], Available at: www.theguardian.com, [Accessed on 3 March 2014]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2014, March 14). Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097202

South African History Online (2014) 'Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth', South African History Online, 14 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097202 (Accessed: 23 July 2026).

South African History Online, Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097202, (accessed 23 July 2026).

"Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth." South African History Online, 14 Mar. 2014, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097202. Accessed 23 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Zimbabwe is suspended from the commonwealth." South African History Online. March 14, 2014. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097202.