Robert Mugabe, former president of Zimbabwe, has died. The 95-year-old had ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 and was the world’s oldest head of state before an exit two years ago. Mr Mugabe had been receiving treatment in hospital in Singapore since April 2019. He was driven out of presidency by a military group after 37 years in power.
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Mr Mugabe had been receiving treatment in hospital in Singapore since April 2019. He was driven out of presidency by a military group after 37 years in power.
The current president Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the death of the former president on Twitter and described him as a “icon of liberation” whose “contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten”.
Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace (2/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Robert Mugabe was born in a British colony which was run by its white minority. He criticised the government of Rhodesia in 1964 and was imprisoned for more than a decade without a trial.In 1973 whilst he was in prison he was chosen to be president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu), of which he was a founding member. When he was released he ended up winning the election to be the president of Zimbabwe.
in 2000, he seized land from white owners and in 2008 used violent militias to silence his political opponents during an election.
Mr Mugabe was forced to resign in November 2017 after his own ruling Zanu-PF party and fellow generals betrayed him during a takeover by the army.
Not everyone liked Mr Mugabe, Zimbabwean Senator David Coltart, once labelled “an enemy of the state” by Mr Mugabe, said his legacy had been marred by his adherence to violence as a political tool. He also took to Twitter today to disagree with people who are saying it is an end of an era.
He wrote: “I’ve read several tweets stating that #RobertMugabe death is the end of an era. I beg to differ. Regrettably the negative aspects of his legacy – violence, disrespect for the rule of law, corruption & abuse of power – live on in the new regime which overthrew him in the 2017 coup”
I’ve read several tweets stating that #RobertMugabe death is the end of an era. I beg to differ. Regrettably the negative aspects of his legacy – violence, disrespect for the rule of law, corruption & abuse of power – live on in the new regime which overthrew him in the 2017 coup
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) September 6, 2019
