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: 45468
#44728   Phil
      
10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Triple Pram
triple pram; Georgia,
2 October 2024 21:48
#44727   Frederic
      
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as
I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My website is
in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would
genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this okay with you. Appreciate
it!

Also visit my web-site teck-it-easy.com
2 October 2024 11:24
#44726   Nicolas
      
Seven Reasons To Explain Why Window Repair Near Is Important Upvc Window Repairs

3 Wheeler Pushchair's History Of 3 Wheeler Pushchair In 10 Milestones 3 Wheel Buggies
2 October 2024 10:46
#44725   Gail
      
10 Unexpected Fiat Replacement Key Tips Ignition Repair
2 October 2024 10:02
#44724   Fredericka
      
You'll Be Unable To Guess Bifold Door Roller Replacement's Tricks bifold door roller Replacement - https://imoodle.Win,
2 October 2024 09:23
#44723   Ava
      
Bunk Beds Adults: The Secret Life Of Bunk Beds Adults single
bunk bed for adults (Margaret)
2 October 2024 07:16
#44722   Angelita
      
3 Ways In Which The High-Quality Mobility Scooters Can Influence Your
Life ergonomic mobility scooters (Merlin)
2 October 2024 07:02
#44721   Eduardo
      
sending money from turkey to russian

I constantly spent my half an hour to read this webpage's content every day
along with a mug of coffee.

türkiyeden azerbaycana
para gönderme


Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I'll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I'm confident they will be benefited from this web site.
2 October 2024 06:54
#44720   Juliana
      
How To Make An Amazing Instagram Video About Treatment Of Anxiety best way
to treat anxiety
2 October 2024 06:32
#44719   Nickolas
      
türkiyeden rusyaya
para gönderme


You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
All the time go after your heart.
2 October 2024 06:24
#44718   Bret
      
15 Things You're Not Sure Of About Double Glazing
Condensation Repair Cost double glazed window repairs near Me
2 October 2024 04:35
#44717   Shad
      
14 Misconceptions Common To Adult ADHD Testing online Adhd assessment
2 October 2024 04:01
#44716   Laurel
      
10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has Concerning Double Glazing
Repair double glaze window
Repair
2 October 2024 02:49
#44715   Julia
      
A Step-By Step Guide To Backlink Builder Software
backlink intelligence software - Chang -
2 October 2024 02:43
#44714   Shawnee
      
Why Adding French Style Fridge Freezer Uk To Your Life's Routine Will Make The A Difference french door fridge size
- Damon,
2 October 2024 02:30
#44713   Noreen
      
The Ugly Reality About Programming Car Key key reprogramming near me
(olderworkers.Com.au)
2 October 2024 02:11
#44712   Caitlyn
      
15 Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper Bloggers You Must Follow best
memory foam mattress topper - Alfonzo,
2 October 2024 01:39
#44711   Carson
      
It Is Also A Guide To Lost Keys In Car In 2023 car key lost What to do
2 October 2024 00:19
#44710   Sabine
      
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post
is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty.
You are amazing! Thanks!

My blog post :: nanodefense pro
1 October 2024 17:58
#44709   Leonie
      
10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Double
Glazing Shops Near Me double glazing door locks
1 October 2024 16:46
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: *


Back1 ... 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 ... 2274Next