International Sanctions
The European Union imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe and pulls out its election observers after the EU team leader is expelled
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Robert Gabriel Mugabe Biography and Timeline — Page 4
Follow Robert Gabriel Mugabe through 168 dated historical records for Zimbabwe.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
168Distinct records
4 of 5Page
2002–2008Years on this page
2002
Economy of Zimbabwe
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made says the land-grab is over, he says the Government has seized 35 million acres of land from white farmers.
Role range: 1987-2017
European Union Sanctions
The European Union imposes targeted sanctions after withdrawing its election observers.
Role range: 1987-2017
Food Emergency Declared
The government declares a disaster as food shortages threaten widespread hunger.
Role range: 1987-2017
Media Regulation Law
Parliament enacts legislation imposing new restrictions on independent media.
Role range: 1987-2017
2003
Morgan Tsvangirai Arrested
Police arrest opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai during a week of protests.
Role range: 1987-2017
Withdrawal from Commonwealth
Mugabe announces Zimbabwe's withdrawal after the Commonwealth maintains its suspension.
Role range: 1987-2017
Withdrawal from Commonwealth
Mugabe withdraws Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth after continued suspension.
Role range: 1987-2017
2004
African Union Human Rights Report
An African Union report criticises abuses against opposition politicians and lawyers.
Role range: 1987-2017
2005
United States Condemnation
The United States labels Zimbabwe an outpost of tyranny.
Role range: 1987-2017
ZANU-PF Officials Purged
ZANU-PF removes senior officials accused of disloyalty and espionage.
Role range: 1987-2017
Parliamentary Election Victory
ZANU-PF wins a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the national election.
Role range: 1987-2017
Parliamentary Election
ZANU-PF wins a large parliamentary majority in the national election.
Role range: 1987-2017
Operation Murambatsvina Begins
Government authorities begin demolishing informal housing and trading structures.
Role range: 1987-2017
Operation Murambatsvina
The government begins demolishing informal homes, markets and businesses.
Role range: 1987-2017
Treason Charges Dropped
Prosecutors withdraw the remaining treason case against Morgan Tsvangirai.
Role range: 1987-2017
Opposition Alleges Electoral Fraud
The MDC reports alleged ghost voters and other irregularities in the Senate poll.
Role range: 1987-2017
Opposition Challenges Senate Poll
The MDC alleges serious irregularities in the Senate election process.
Role range: 1987-2017
Senate Election Held
Zimbabwe holds elections for the restored upper chamber of Parliament.
Role range: 1987-2017
Senate Election Result
ZANU-PF wins 43 of the 50 elected Senate seats.
Role range: 1987-2017
Senate Election
ZANU-PF wins most elected seats in the restored Senate.
Role range: 1987-2017
Senate Reintroduced
A newly restored Senate begins operating after elections.
Role range: 1987-2017
United Nations Humanitarian Assessment
A United Nations official warns that Zimbabwe faces severe humanitarian and economic decline.
Role range: 1987-2017
2006
Hyperinflation Accelerates
Zimbabwe experiences accelerating hyperinflation and severe currency instability.
Role range: 1987-2017
Inflation Exceeds One Thousand Percent
Official inflation rises above one thousand percent.
Role range: 1987-2017
Currency Redenomination
Zimbabwe removes three zeros from its currency during continuing inflation.
Role range: 1987-2017
Trade Union Protest Suppressed
Police break up a union protest and detain its leaders.
Role range: 1987-2017
Election Timetable Proposal
ZANU-PF considers delaying the next presidential election.
Role range: 1987-2017
2007
Political Rallies Restricted
Police impose temporary restrictions on opposition rallies and demonstrations.
Role range: 1987-2017
Morgan Tsvangirai Beaten
Police arrest and beat Tsvangirai after an opposition prayer meeting.
Role range: 1987-2017
Electricity Shortage
The government warns that prolonged electricity cuts will affect homes and businesses.
Role range: 1987-2017
Alleged Coup Plot
Authorities charge five men with treason over an alleged coup conspiracy.
Role range: 1987-2017
Summit Meeting
Mugabe attends the EU-Africa summit, where he is criticised over his rights record, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown boycotts the meeting over Mugabes presence
Role range: 1987-1990
EU-Africa Summit
Mugabe attends the summit despite criticism of Zimbabwe's human-rights record.
Role range: 1987-2017
ZANU-PF Presidential Nomination
ZANU-PF endorses Mugabe as its candidate for the approaching election.
Role range: 1987-2017
2008
Presidential Campaign Launch
Mugabe opens his campaign by attacking opposition presidential candidates.
Role range: 1987-2017
Harmonised Election
Mugabe contests presidential and parliamentary elections against a strengthened opposition.
Role range: 1987-2017
Parliamentary Election Results
ZANU-PF wins fewer elected Assembly seats than the combined MDC factions.
Role range: 1987-2017
ZANU-PF Loses Assembly Majority
Official results show ZANU-PF losing its elected majority in the Assembly.
Role range: 1987-2017
ZANU-PF Loses Parliamentary Majority
Election results show ZANU-PF losing its parliamentary majority for the first time.
Role range: 1987-2017
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.