The Legacy of Three Conflicts in Zimbabwe-Traumas and missed opportunities

Abstract: The study analyses three major conflicts in Zimbabwe during the past forty years through a filter of theoretical models. The study relies on secondary material in the form of articles, books and research reports. The causes of the conflicts, the traumas developed through the conflicts and reconciliation efforts at the end of the conflicts are analyzed. It shows that Zimbabwe is a traumatized nation where reconciliation has taken the form of amnesia and impunity. This has created unattended massive traumas which through the concepts of chosen traumas has been triggering new conflicts. In the recently signed APG document, national healing has been agreed to, and will cover all three conflicts analyzed in this paper. However such a healing process must be part of a broad reconciliation process to reach sustainable peace.