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Wars are fought for a cause or for causes. Champions of wars usually clearly articulate their war aims. This is done in order to solicit support from the generality of people and from the international community. Most wars are fought for political and economic reasons. The RENAMO war in Zimbabwe, and in particular South East Zimbabwe was unique in that it was a war which did not so much seek to gain the political or economic support of the local people. It was a destabilisation war, fought by foreign forces in a foreign country. It was a war which caused a lot of suffering on the people of South East Zimbabwe. The people of South East Zimbabwe became pawns in a regional war which had nothing to do with them in particular. This book tries to address the question of why South East Zimbabwe and with what consequences.

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Baxter Tavuyanago has a Masters of Arts Degree (African History) and is currently a lecturer in History and Development Studies at Great Zimbabwe University. He has published a number of articles in reputable international journals in the field of African History. He has also co-authored four Zimbabwean Secondary Schools history textbooks.

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