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: 45578
#798   Simon
      
A person necessarily assist to make seriously articles I'd state.
That is the very first time I frequented your website page
and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual publish extraordinary.
Excellent activity!

Stop by my web page :: Local Locksmith my area
24 December 2021 14:14
#797   Michael
      
I read this post fully about the difference of latest and previous technologies, it's
awesome article.

my web page :: casino
24 December 2021 14:13
#796   Dianna
      
Ahaa, its nice discussion concerning this article here at this web site, I have read all that,
so at this time me also commenting here.

Feel free to visit my blog post :: cats Cbd arthritis
24 December 2021 14:12
#795   Cathryn
      
Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favourite reason appeared
to be on the web the easiest factor to take note
of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider issues that they plainly do not
recognise about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also defined
out the entire thing without having side effect , folks
can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.

Thank you

Look at my web blog; Linnea
24 December 2021 14:08
#794   Lonna
      
You are so cool! I don't suppose I've truly read through anything like this before.

So great to find somebody with unique thoughts on this
subject. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up.
This web site is one thing that is required on the
internet, someone with a bit of originality!


My blog; electrical
Installation certificate uk
24 December 2021 14:04
#793   Karolin
      
I constantly emailed this website post page to all my
friends, as if like to read it next my friends will too.


my homepage; Emergency electrician near me
24 December 2021 14:01
#792   Kisha
      
Great post.

Also visit my web-site: cbd shop near
me sale
24 December 2021 13:59
#791   Kathi
      
Heya i'm cbd for sale usa the first
time here. I came across this board and I find It truly
useful & it helped me out a lot. I'm hoping to offer one thing back and help others such as you helped
me.
24 December 2021 13:57
#790   Elmo
      
This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger.

I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.

Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!


Feel free to surf to my homepage: Keith
24 December 2021 13:56
#789   Doretha
      
Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am visiting this web page dailly and take nice data from here everyday.


My webpage :: Emergency locksmith
24 December 2021 13:54
#788   Shelton
      
This excellent website certainly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didn't know who
to ask.

Stop by my blog :: Cbd e liquid
24 December 2021 13:50
#787   Benjamin
      
What's up everybody, here every one is sharing these
kinds of knowledge, therefore it's pleasant to read this web site, and I used to visit this web site every day.


My page :: lost Keys
24 December 2021 13:44
#786   Lilian
      
I know this site offers quality dependent content and other material, is there any other web page
which provides these kinds of stuff in quality?


My blog post machine
24 December 2021 13:41
#785   Monte
      
This is the perfect web site for everyone who wants to understand this topic.
You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that
I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that has been discussed for decades.

Excellent stuff, just great!

Here is my web page: Local Auto Locksmith
24 December 2021 13:33
#784   Kelvin
      
I need to to thank you for this excellent read!!
I certainly loved every bit of it. I've got you bookmarked to look at new stuff
you post…

Also visit my page :: cbd
hemp flower usa
24 December 2021 13:32
#783   Kristen
      
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites online.
I'm going to recommend this site!

Here is my web page ... window And Door repairs
24 December 2021 13:32
#782   Elliott
      
Woah! I'm really digging the template/theme of this blog. It's simple, yet effective.
A lot of times it's hard to get that "perfect balance" between usability and
visual appeal. I must say you have done a excellent job with this.
In addition, the blog loads very quick for car key
programer near me
on Internet explorer.
Excellent Blog!
24 December 2021 13:23
#781   Millard
      
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this post i
thought i could also create comment due to this sensible article.


Feel free to surf to my website ... cbd chocolates
online
24 December 2021 13:13
#780   Freeman
      
Thanks in support of sharing such a good idea, article is fastidious, thats why i have read it completely

Here is my website :: clothing rental service
24 December 2021 13:12
#779   Bettye
      
It's an remarkable article in support of all the online users; they
will get benefit from it I am sure.

Also visit my web blog :: register
24 December 2021 13:06
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: *