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: 45787
#8387   Alphonse
      
Please give me one chance I can be the winner of big boss 15
… that’s sure common man create more buzz than your celebrity.i know people will be crazy
when I will come on tv.

My web page :: Desi Serials
9 February 2022 09:53
#8386   Virgil
      
Fill area with relaxing sounds. Asking them questions if these people listen to music or maybe they'd prefer silence.
Find music or white noise that's relaxing but not as climatic at the wrong action.

Feel free to visit my web site - 유흥, Tiffiny,
9 February 2022 09:48
#8385   Selma
      
If you're seeking a top online casino, Daftar
judi slot
Gacor is a good place to start.

The variety of free and premium games allows you to
play every kind of casino entertainment. The software
is easy to use and allows you to deposit money at many local banks.
9 February 2022 09:44
#8384   Leona
      
Society discover less about who in order to and you actually do,
of computer is as to what you look like doing something
you conduct. Appearance is everything. Apparently be rich, and you are thought highly
of, that's why reaches over into work.

Also visit my webpage - 광주유흥사이트
9 February 2022 09:40
#8383   Demetria
      
As with any outdoor wedding site, find out what the backup plan would stay in case
of inclement temperature. It may well be possible to relocate your ceremony to inside u .
s .

Have a look at my homepage :: 오피
9 February 2022 09:34
#8382   Christi
      
Soccer jerseys are produced by many famous manufacturers regarding example Nike and Adidas.
These are made of very clean material and will last for
many years.

Here is my website ... 토토사이트추천
9 February 2022 09:27
#8381   Clarence
      
When teaching in Korea, you have several different workplace opportunity choose outside of.


My site ... 안마사이트
9 February 2022 09:26
#8380   Kathie
      
If you're looking at a last-minute trip really operate
be in luck. You'll be able discover really good prices on airfare and hotel rates when you book
in the last modest. This works best during the off calendar year.


my webpage ... 인천오피 - http://www.a-31.de/url?q=http://50carleton.withbob.net/info.php?a%5B%5D=%3Ca+hre
f%3Dhttps://www.daldalop.com/%3E%EA%B0%95%EB%82%A8%EC%98%A4%ED%94%BC%3C/A%3E%3Cm
eta+http-equiv%3Drefresh+content%3D0;url%3Dhttps://www.daldalop.com/+/%3E
-
9 February 2022 09:19
#8379   Damion
      
Slot Gacor Review
Slot Gacor is an internet casino that offers players various games for free as
well as premium games. The casino's user-friendly interface makes it easy to
use. The casino accepts all major credit cards, ewallets and Telkomsel.


Check out my page - game yang menghasilkan uang tanpa modal -
Guy -
9 February 2022 09:17
#8378   Sadie
      
situs Slot terbaru Gacor Review
Slot Gacor is a leading online casino that has
a selection of games that are free and premium. The casino also offers multiple ways to win, as
well as high-quality and secure gaming experience.
9 February 2022 09:11
#8377   Erica
      
Another associated with pampering yourself if to generate a beautiful environment in which to pass your leisure time.
A garden is the best idea and the patio or deck is often a way of enhancing your enjoyment of one's garden.

Here is my blog - 부천안마
9 February 2022 09:04
#8376   Hugo
      
Massage therapy works best if the main cause of your aching back is damage to soft tissue (Muscle pull).
More serious problems as some herniated disc will not respond well may respond well
to massage and good also be harmful.

Also visit my website :: 광주오피
9 February 2022 09:01
#8375   Denese
      
Select a Situs Judi
Online Slot

There are a few things you should take into consideration when selecting an online Situs Judi
slot. Although many websites claim to be the best, this isn't always the case.
9 February 2022 08:50
#8374   Maybelle
      
Now assuming this is true, home furniture then think God doesn't react to actions
about the human plane. We can then divorce ethics from God.


my blog 달달오피수원
9 February 2022 08:45
#8373   Anthony
      
This is among quality every company should possess. Since times don't
promise us a rigid plot to do business, outcomes tend to depend
around the entire process if process.

my homepage; Pinoy Tambayan
9 February 2022 08:43
#8372   Melba
      
Brown's memorable professional career led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, however the Sporting
News selected him as finest football player of all-time.


my web-site; 파워사다리
9 February 2022 08:39
#8371   Velva
      
Girls need to schedule appointments to purchase their hair styled
in addition to their make-up chosen. It is a
choice to make these appointments well prior to of the dance.
Waiting to likely minute may mean right now there are no appointments left.



Review my site :: Clothing rental Subscription
9 February 2022 08:26
#8370   Marty
      
slot online terpercaya (Metallholder.ru)
Gacor is a great choice if you're looking for an online gambling site.
Its extensive selection of free and premium games allows you to
play the variety of casino games.
9 February 2022 07:49
#8369   Arden
      
The engine control unit of an automobile is the most crucial component of its engine.
It is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle operates safely and effectively.
If something is not working it will trigger the check engine light.



Also visit my web page - Ecu repair cost uk
9 February 2022 07:27
#8368   Joy
      
All meals that find at an Indian restaurant is manufactured/processed food.
A cave man or your great, great, great. great grandparents couldn't
have eaten a chicken korma, rice, naan and popadoms.


Feel free to surf to my web site :: 안산안마사이트
9 February 2022 07:26
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: *