Senior Lecturer

Dr Lawrence Mhandara

Qualifications: PhD in Peace Studies, MSc International Relations & BSc Politics and Administration
Cell: +263 717 981324
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Lawrence Mhandara holds a PhD in Peace Studies and is a senior lecturer of political science at the University of Zimbabwe. His research straddles politics, security and conflict issues, accompanied by several publications. He has consulted with local and international organisations on issues germane to Zimbabwe and African peace and security.

Publications & Research Profile

Research Interests

Lawrence Mhandara researches on government and politics in Zimbabwe, international security theory and practice, comparative security and peacebuilding and contemporary strategic thought.

Selected Conferences and Workshop Papers Presented

• State of the Region (Key Trends in Peace, Security and Governance, Regional Policy Conference on Non-State Actors’ Engagement in Regional Governance, Sandton, South Africa, 16 to 19 November 2021.
• Democratisation in the SADC region in the context of the concept of the people of Southern Africa: Political Dimension’, paper presented at the workshop “People’s Agency and Popular Participation in the SADC Region: Towards Regional Democratisation & Integration, University of Botswana, 19 August (Online Conference).
• Africa Great Lakes Region (AGR) 2030: Sustaining Peace, 23-24 March 2021, Africa Peacebuilding Network (zoom).
• ‘Zimbabwe’s Political Economy: 1980 – 2017’, 17 August 2020 (Webinar). Institute of African Studies, Turkey.
• ‘The Growth of Islam in Zimbabwe and Implications for National Peace and Security’ Interfaith Dialogue, 9 February 2019.
• ‘The last lap: Will Zimbabwe have good quality elections and an indisputable outcome?’ Mass Public Opinion Institute: 26 July 2018.
• ‘How relevant are the private relationships of public figures in their discharge of national duties? and ‘Do our campaigning processes measure up? ‘Amalgamated Media Holdings Conversations (Harare): 19 July 2018.
• ‘The Impact of electoral violence on legitimacy, democracy and national consensus’, University of Zimbabwe, Faculty of Arts (Media and elections symposium): 17 May 2018.
• ‘Observations and Opinions on ‘Zimbabwe’s opposition post-Tsvangirai: Trajectory and Challenges’, Mass Public Opinion Institute: 22 March 2018.
• ‘Zimbabwe 2018 Elections: Key Considerations’, Media Alliance of Zimbabwe: 14 March 2018.
• ‘China-Africa relations: Implications on Africa’s capacity to influence the global security agenda’, Tana Forum (Ethiopia, Addis Ababa): 16-17 April 2016.
• ‘Implications of the visit of China’s President on Sino-Zimbabwe relations’, University of Zimbabwe: 22 November 2015.
• ‘The challenges of reconciliation in the 21^st Century: a Zimbabwean perspective, University of Zimbabwe & University of South Africa: 28 August 2015.
• ‘Chinese investment in Africa: An investigation of the opportunities and challenges for peace and security in Zimbabwe’, Institute of Peace and Security Studies and Zhejiang Normal University (Bistoftu, Ethiopia): 12-13 October 2012.
• ‘Is China a neo-colonial power in Africa? Inter-Regional Economic Network (Nairobi Conference Centre, Kenya): 11-12 August 2012

Publications

Articles

• Mhandara, L. et al. 2021. The impact and implications of COVID-19: Reflections on the Zimbabwean society. Social Sciences & Humanities Open 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100183
• Mhandara, L. 2020. Community-based reconciliation in practice and lessons for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission of Zimbabwe. African Journal on Conflict Resolution 20 (1): 35-58.
• Mhandara, L. 2020. The Great Lakes Region (GLR) Security Complex: Lessons for the African Solutions for Peace and Security (AfSol) Approach. Journal of African-Centred Solutions in Peace and Security 3(2): 8-28.
• Mhandara, L. 2018. The Power of Dialogue in Promoting Reconciliation in Zimbabwe. Conflict Trends 3: 30-39.
• Mhandara, L. 2014. Towards systemic transformation in Zimbabwe: True reconciliation for sustainable socio-economic development. Southern Peace Review Journal. pp. 96-116.
• Mhandara, L and Pooe, A, R. 2013. Mediating a convoluted conflict: South Africa’s approach to the inter-party negotiation process leading to the GPA in Zimbabwe. ACCORD Occasional Paper Series, No. 1.
• Mhandara, L., Manyeruke, C., and Nyemba, E. 2013. Debating China’s new role in Africa’s political economy. African East-Asian Affairs, Issue 2. pp. 79-101.
• Mhandara, L., Hamauswa, S., and Manyeruke, C. 2013. A Review of the Concept of Separation of Powers in Zimbabwe’s New Constitution. Southern Peace Review Journal. pp. 68-81.
• Mhandara, L., Hamauswa, S., and Manyeruke, C. 2013. A Review of the COPAC-led Constitution Making Process in Zimbabwe (2008-2013). Southern Peace Review Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 12-30.
• Manyeruke, C., and Mhandara, L. 2011. Zimbabwe’s Views on Transformation of the International System. Global Review: Vol. 1. pp. 85-91.

Books and Book Chapters

• Mahomva, R., Mhandara, L & Sabao, C. 2021. Re/membering Robert Gabriel Mugabe: Politics, Legacy, Philosophy, Life and Death. LAN Publications: Bulawayo.
• Mhandara, L. 2022. Zimbabwe’s National Peace and Reconciliation Commission 28 and Civil Society: Partners in Peacebuilding? In: Chrystome, K & Harris, G. Civil Society and Peacebuilding in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Anthropocene. Switserland: Springer, pp. 235-250.
• Sabao, C., Mahomva, R. R and Mhandara, L. 2021. Mahomva, R., Mhandara, L & Sabao, C. 2021. Re/membering Robert Gabriel Mugabe: Politics, Legacy, Philosophy, Life and Death. Bulawayo: LAN Publications, pp. xi-xxix.
• Mhandara, L. 2021. Asserting African Agency on the Zimbabwe Political Question: Mugabe’s Philosophy and Tsvangirai’s Diplomatic Failures in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Re/membering Robert Gabriel Mugabe: Politics, Legacy, Philosophy, Life and Death. Bulawayo: LAN Publications, pp. 209-233.
• Mhandara L and Murwira, A. 2021. Social Capital for Development: A Case for Reconciliation in Zimbabwe. In: Chirisa, I. ed. Emerging Development Paradigms in Africa: A Special Focus on Southern Africa. Harare: UZ Publications, pp. 259-272.
• Murwira, A. and Mhandara, L. 2021. Intra-State Conflicts, Regional Economic Development and Integration in Southern Africa Development Community. Social Capital for Development: A Case for Reconciliation in Zimbabwe. In: Chirisa, I. ed. Emerging Development Paradigms in Africa: A Special Focus on Southern Africa. Harare: UZ Publications, pp. 342-354.
• Chimwara, O and Mhandara, L. 2021. Natural Resources and Conflict in Nigeria. In: Chirisa, I. ed Emerging Development Paradigms in Africa: A Special Focus on Southern Africa. Harare: UZ Publications, pp. 297-309.
• Mhandara L. 2021. On the Shoulders of Struggle: Memoirs of a Political Insider and the Landscape Auto/Biography Writing in Zimbabwe. In: Mahomva, R & Zinyama, T. eds. Memory & the National Question. LAN Publications: Bulawayo, pp. 22-27.
• Mhandara L. 2020. Alliance Systems Redefined: Towards an Explanation of China’s Hands-Off Approach to African Politics. In: Abidde, S and Ayoola, T. A. eds. China in Africa: Between Imperialism and Partnership in Humanitarian Development. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, pp. 69-87.
• Mhandara L. 2020. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the Zimbabwe Political Question: Policy Continuity beyond Mugabe. In: E.V Masunungure. ed. Zimbabwe’s Trajectory: Stepping Forward or Sliding Back? Harare: Weaver Press, pp. 340-373.
• Mhandara, L and Murwira, A. 2020. Political Conflicts and Dialogue in Glenview North Constituency. In: Chirisa, I and Manyeruke, C. eds. Sustainability in the Political and Socio-Economic Spheres of Development in Zimbabwe. Cameroon: Langaa.
• Mhandara, L and Chimwara, O. 2019. Human Smuggling from Zimbabwe to South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post. In. Muqayi, S and Manyeruke, C. eds. Dynamics of Contemporary Border Management in Zimbabwe: Challenges, Benefits and Prospects. London: Adonys and Abbey: 199-214.
• Mhandara, L. and Murwira, A. 2017. Factionalism in the Ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Implications on National Development. In: Nhema, G. ed. Zimbabwe: The Search for Sustainable Development Paradigms. Harare: University of Zimbabwe Publications, pp. 94-115.
• Murwira, A and Mhandara, L. 2017. Towards Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: A Peacebuilding Perspective. In: Nhema, G. ed. Zimbabwe: The Search for Sustainable Development Paradigms. Harare: University of Zimbabwe Publications, pp. 116-138.
• Mhandara, L., and Chipaike, R. 2012. Chinese investment in Africa: An investigation of the opportunities and challenges for peace and security in Zimbabwe. In Berhe, M.G., and Hongwu, L (eds), China-Africa Relations: Governance, Peace and Security: Institute of Peace and Security Studies: Ethiopia, pp.146-165.
• Chipaike, R., and Mhandara, L.2012. Evading punishment: An analysis of Zimbabwe-China relations in an age of sanctions. In: Berhe, M.G., and Hongwu, L (eds), China-Africa Relations: Governance, Peace and Security: Institute of Peace and Security Studies: Ethiopia, pp. 211-227.

Community Service

My community engagement has centred on the following activities:

• 2020 - Present: Varieties of Democracy expert researcher - V-Dem Institute, at University of Gothenburg, Sweden).
• 2020: The Right to Development and Peacebuilding - RAOUL Institute, Netherlands).
• 2020: Women, Relief and Recovery Efforts in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe –Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
• 2020: Handbook on gender, peace and development for senior officials in the Ministry of women affairs, community, small and medium Enterprises development - UN Women (Zimbabwe).
• 2019: Transparency in Political Party Financing and Degenerating Electoral Conflict in Zimbabwe - Transparency International Zimbabwe.
• 2019: Capacity Building training for the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) and Ministry of Gender and Women Affairs on the integration of gender, peace and security –UN Women (Zimbabwe)
• 2019: The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s Gender and Inclusion Policy –UN Women (Zimbabwe) and ZEC.
• 2019 - Factsheet on Electoral Administration in Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Election Support Network