Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's first post-independence leader, has died aged 95
6-09-2019, 18:26

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

 

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's first post-independence leader, has died aged 95.

His family confirmed his death to the BBC. Mr Mugabe had been receiving treatment in a hospital in Singapore since April.

He was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power.

Mr Mugabe's early years were praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority - but his later years were marked by rights abuses and corruption.

He won Zimbabwe's first election after it secured independence from the UK, becoming prime minister in 1980.

He abolished the office in 1987, becoming president instead.

His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed his "utmost sadness", calling Mr Mugabe "an icon of liberation".

Mr Mnangagwa had been Mr Mugabe's deputy before replacing him.

Who was Robert Mugabe?

Mr Mugabe was born on 21 February 1924 in what was then Rhodesia - a British colony, run by its white minority.

He was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial after criticising the government of Rhodesia in 1964.

n 1973, while still in prison, he was chosen as president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu), of which he was a founding member.

Once released, he headed to Mozambique, from where he directed guerrilla raids into Rhodesia. But he was also seen as a skilled negotiator.

Political agreements to end the crisis resulted in the new independent Republic of Zimbabwe.

With his high profile in the independence movement, Mr Mugabe secured an overwhelming victory in the republic's first election.

But over his decades in power, international perceptions soured, with an increasing number of critics portraying Mr Mugabe as a kind of dictator.

In 2000, facing serious political opposition for the first time, he seized white-owned farms to resettle black farmers, causing economic disruption but boosting his popularity among supporters.

Around the same time, pro-Mugabe militias used violence to influence political outcomes. In 2008, when he lost the first round of the presidential election, attacks on the opposition resulted in his rival pulling out of the contest.

He famously declared that only god could remove him from office.

He was forced into sharing power in 2009 amid economic collapse, installing rival Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.

But in 2017, amid concerns that he was grooming his wife Grace as his successor, the army - his long-time ally - turned against the president and forced him to step down.

What has the reaction been?

Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi, of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, told the BBC the party was "very much saddened" by his death.

"As a government, we are very much with the family members of the Mugabe family," he said.

"He was a principled man: he could not change easily over his beliefs. He's a man who believed himself, he's a man who believed in what he did and he is a man who was very assertive in whatever he said.

"This was a good man."

Not everyone agreed, however.

Zimbabwean Senator David Coltart, who was once labelled "an enemy of the state" by Mr Mugabe, said his legacy was marred by his adherence to violence as a political tool.

"He was always committed to violence, going all the way back to the 1960s... he was no Martin Luther King," he told the BBC World Service. "He never changed in that regard."

But he acknowledged that there was another side to Robert Mugabe - "a man who indeed had a great passion for education - and I think he mellowed in his later years.

"There's a lot of affection towards him, because we must never forget that he was the person primarily responsible for ending oppressive white minority rule."

The government of neighbouring South Africa tweeted its condolences, labelling Mr Mugabe "a fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter".

The BBC's Shingai Nyoka, in the capital Harare, said Mr Mugabe was likely to be remembered for his early achievements.

In his later years, people had called him all sorts of names, but now is probably the time when Zimbabweans will think back to his 37 years in power, she said.

There's a saying here - that whoever dies becomes a hero, and we're likely to see that now, our correspondent adds.


Robert Mugabe - key dates

1924: Born. Later trains as a teacher

1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government

1980: Wins post-independence elections

1996: Marries Grace Marufu

2000: Loses referendum - pro-Mugabe militias invade white-owned farms and attack opposition supporters

2008: Comes second in first round of elections to Tsvangirai, who pulls out of run-off following nationwide attacks on his supporters

2009: Amid economic collapse, swears in Tsvangirai as prime minister, who serves in uneasy government of national unity for four years

2017: Sacks long-time ally Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, paving the way for his wife Grace to succeed him

November 2017: Army intervenes and forces him to step down

 

BBC.COM

 

Comments: 45599
#11259   Winfred
      
you are in reality a excellent webmaster.
The website loading pace is incredible. It sort of feels that you're doing any distinctive trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you've done a great process on this topic!


Feel free to surf to my web-site private psychiatry near me
18 February 2022 00:51
#11258   Donette
      
The Ernie Kovacs Show was an extraordinarily funny and groundbreaking express
to. The things they did editing-wise was way past the technology of the 50's and Ernie the comedy master.
He was taken from us overly early within a car
accident.

My page Tv Patrol
18 February 2022 00:38
#11257   Maura
      
Another possibility is to get your own electricity, from wind or
solar power up. You should able to to connect your generator to the utility's
network, and end up being the paid for you generate by from the 'feed-in tariff'.


Have a look at my web blog :: window installers Near me; https://gsalesstaging.wpengine.com/author/tomasranfor/,
18 February 2022 00:32
#11256   Kristeen
      
You may believe that the shows would either play slowly or
not look as good as they do on Television shows.
This is not true.

my page: Be Careful With
My Heart
18 February 2022 00:30
#11255   Cortney
      
how do i become an avon representative is really a multi level
marketing company and traditionally a direct selling company.
Now with such a superb opportunity you might be
requesting might be asking the money problem often is.
18 February 2022 00:30
#11254   Tilly
      
There are several aspects electricians near to
me - Regena -
consider when searching for an electrician in your area.
A skilled professional who can fix and maintain appliances
that are damaged is crucial.
18 February 2022 00:29
#11253   Karen
      
I would say drinking is the worst thing for your entire body.
It can ruin your liver, without having to only change
the interior, but skew your exterior. I mean, making decisions' that you might normally never make sober.


My blog post ... Cbd Vape Oil Sale
18 February 2022 00:29
#11252   Soila
      
Quite most challenging decision most entertaining show along with a original show to
watch right now, Walter White (actor Bryan Cranston -
the dad from Malcolm in the Middle) to paraphrase is a premier school
chemistry teacher diagnosed with.

Feel free to visit my web site Pinoy Tambayan
18 February 2022 00:24
#11251   Alfie
      
CBD Gummies are a great way to get your daily dose of Cbd gummies Uk.
They are absorbed rapidly in the body, and can be
quickly consumed at any time which makes them an ideal
option for anyone traveling.
18 February 2022 00:16
#11250   Allan
      
It's going to be finish of mine day, except before finish
I am reading this impressive article to improve my experience.



Here is my homepage ... Window Glass Replacement
18 February 2022 00:11
#11249   Arielle
      
Take into consideration the safety of CBD Hemp gummies reviews when looking for
the best ones. Look for non-GMO, organic ingredients as well as real sugar and natural flavoring.
There should be no artificial colors or flavors.
18 February 2022 00:04
#11248   Adrianne
      
Any replacement material for every doorjamb could possibly have
to be cut to the correct width and/or length.
Make use of a fine-tooth saw blade to cut back through the material.
Align the replacement piece with any existing doorjamb pieces.



my page ... Public profile - WolfgangQ98
18 February 2022 00:04
#11247   Adan
      
Roller doors on another hand also consist of
rectangular panels or sections but functional indeed fixed to some track like the door panel replacement (Francine) punch in. This
type would roll up exactly like a carpet round the ceiling for the garage.
18 February 2022 00:02
#11246   Giuseppe
      
There are many simple ways to fix Car
key programmer
keys. The first is to take out the damaged key.
It is possible to use needle-nose pliers, a wire coat
hanger, a hacksaw blade, or WD-40.
18 February 2022 00:00
#11245   Lorenzo
      
Your next phase will be to all of them with
your cost card information. Some sites have a monthly repayment
schedule while others charge per download. Do yourself a big favor and look for an unlimited
lifetime strategy.

my web site: GMA Network
17 February 2022 23:56
#11244   Laurel
      
You realize that this has happened often before, you're not the best and
these not be the last person who this has happens regarding.


my web site - car locksmith services
17 February 2022 23:46
#11243   Hiram
      
The people of Amsterdam are very friendly and helpful.
A simple sense of community since you will feel an individual have stay
in Amsterdam. You will find in this huge city how the crime will
be low. Someone can feel safe biking alone.

Review my website ... vapoholic cbd vape Oil
uk
17 February 2022 23:40
#11242   Carlos
      
The fourth show is Game of Thrones. Many people
will shake their heads if you've not watch this show nonetheless.
Based on a medieval setting, people who watch the of Thrones will use many twists and curves.



Take a look at my homepage :: tv Patrol
17 February 2022 23:34
#11241   Christine
      
If stating that you are an Acme avon rep (Nicolas) is embarrassing to you, you might
be with the wrong company. if your name was Ima
Putz, you could either alter your name or get over people's reactions to the device.
17 February 2022 23:28
#11240   Agueda
      
There are basically two involving membership sites for your
iPod. Factors pay per download sites, and you will unlimited download sites.


my site - pinoy Teleserye
17 February 2022 23:16
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *