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: 45790
#7650   Daniele
      
It is important to remember that not everything
is free.

Check out my blog post :: Glass
Replacement Near Me
8 February 2022 05:38
#7649   Kourtney
      
Imagine you actually want to get out for getting a long cruise.
Would you be rrn a position to enjoy holiday to the fullest,
if you know for certain that your home is not well equipped with the desired security rules?


My homepage ... local locksmiths (Margie)
8 February 2022 05:34
#7648   Georgina
      
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day.
It's always exciting to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their sites.


My blog post ... Double Glazing Near Me
8 February 2022 05:33
#7647   Jere
      
[3] Have something small that become be reheated or baked in an oven. Use a double layer of foil!
You can bake a quantity biscuits or reheat a chicken breast by just
placing the foil to the oven rack. No messy pot or
pan to wash out.

my site :: american style
fridge freezer deals
8 February 2022 05:32
#7646   Bradly
      
Since your cat the suffering from an underlying condition that's causing your cat for
you to become depressed, the vet can examine him thoroughly.


Feel free to visit my web blog; Private Adhd Assesment
8 February 2022 05:28
#7645   Hannelore
      
If you will be operating your scooter around the road,
ensure you are associated with the laws that
are now enforced.

my web site used mobility scooters for sale
8 February 2022 05:27
#7644   Veronique
      
Make absolute to use internet, word of mouth from friends, family, and
co-workers to find the right professional for process.


my blog: Domestic
Electrician Near Me
8 February 2022 05:23
#7643   Raymon
      
Depending on the severity of the damages, you could require
window glass replacement tilt and turn windows london (Belen) services.
It could be that you only need to replace one window, or even replace the entire house.
8 February 2022 05:22
#7642   Sharyn
      
Start the process of having your backlinks indexed
by using an online backlink pushing service [http://much.sandbox.google.com.pe/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fjack0926.cafe24.com%2Fpeac
e%2Fphptest.php%3Fa%5b%5d%3D%3ca%2Bhref%3dwww.sickseo.co.uk%2Fproduct-category%2
Fseo-tools-software%2Flink-crawling-indexing%2F
] that is free.
Once you've signed-up for an account, you'll be able to enter the URLs of
your links and plan them for 30 calendar days ahead.
8 February 2022 05:21
#7641   Renate
      
Most common cheap toasters use nichrome wire wrapped
back and forth across a mica sheet moves the infrared
radiation. An alloy of nickel and chromium, nichrome wire rrs known for a fairly high electrical resistance and doesn't oxidize when heated.
8 February 2022 05:21
#7640   Kiera
      
Professional Auto Locksmiths Near Me (Www.Youtube.Com) can replace your lost keys
almost immediately. It is always good to use a locksmith's number handy.
In cease a good emergency, required locksmith an unscheduled visit and almost certainly have model new set of keys which.
8 February 2022 05:18
#7639   Tamela
      
Like just like regular lofts, you can supplement these low-built beds loft
bed with desk and sofa
a more fullfilling
furniture for yourself. You are that will place in the drawer and a
cupboard to boost storage space or you can arrange the beneath as being a playing space.
8 February 2022 05:17
#7637   Micki
      
If you've recently experienced a window blowout It is likely that you should employ a professional service for window repair.
This type of emergency repair may need replacing the entire
window repairs near Me.
8 February 2022 05:15
#7636   Jimmie
      
4mph. These models come in 3 and 4 wheel designs. Launch getting around inside shops, homes
any other indoor places, they are mostly more compact in development.



Look at my homepage; mobility scooters for Disabled (Https://moody.shipsnetwork.Com)
8 February 2022 05:13
#7635   Jeffery
      
Ask the apartment manager if the locks are changed or re-keyed when a new tenant moves when it
comes to.

Also visit my website - 평택유흥사이트
8 February 2022 05:11
#7634   Sheldon
      
There a lot of different varieties of massage care.

Some therapies use different exotic oils with fragrances
that make it easier to relax. Some forms of massage therapies focus on the very same part of the body, whilst are performed on your physique.


Feel free to surf to my web-site ... 수원유흥사이트 (m.hatersnapback.Co.Kr)
8 February 2022 05:06
#7633   Aiden
      
Treatment options for Untreated
Adhd In Adults
in adults vary widely. Some patients respond to
stimulants, while others may respond better to nonstimulants.
Behavioral interventions are often the best choice for adults.
8 February 2022 05:02
#7632   Ivy
      
Use a screwdriver take away the screws on the doorway handle.
The plastic clip will want the use of pliers to become released after that you should certainly twist
it so that the interior door handle can swing responsive.



Here is my site :: Cheap Auto
Locksmith Near Me
8 February 2022 05:01
#7631   Alvin
      
Manufacturer. One of the largest indicators of window expense is the organization. Quality and warranties vary tremendously from enterprise to the next,
so while an aluminum window replacement from one manufacturer might $150, another can charge $400.
8 February 2022 04:59
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: *