It has been confirmed that the former overthrown dictator of Zimbabwe died in a Singapore hospital after a period of ill health. The tyrant ruled the country with an iron fist for 40 years before being removed in a military coup in 2017.
His leadership of the former British colony was marked with bloodshed, persecution of political opponents and vote-rigging on a large scale. The news was confirmed by current Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said Mugabe died surrounded by his family, including wife Grace.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe.
‘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.’
Mugabe was the nation’s first post-independence leader, serving first as prime minister and later as president. He was born on 21 February 1924, in what was then Rhodesia and trained as a teacher.
He was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial after criticising the government of Rhodesia in 1964. While in jail, he was chosen as president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu), of which he was a founding father.
He became prime minister in 1980 of the new Republic of Zimbabwe and assumed the role of president seven years later.
Before he was removed two years ago, he was the only leader the country had known post-independence and had vowed to rule until he died. Mugabe was an outspoken critic of the West – most notably the UK – and he denounced the former colonial power as ‘an enemy country.’
To his supporters, he will be remembered as a revolutionary hero who helped free Zimbabwe from colonialism and minority white rule. But his record in government is one of economic mismanagement, widespread corruption, anti-white racism and widespread human rights abuses.
In 2000, he led a campaign to evict white farmers off their land, which was given to black Zimbabweans and led to famine. Much of his dirty work was carried out by his bullying henchman who attacked and often murdered white farmers, burning their homes, looting their possessions and confiscating their lands.
Under Mugabe’s leadership, the economy of the mineral-rich country descended into chaos with thousands of people reduced to grinding poverty and reduced to near-starvation. Despite his brutal treatment of political opponents, he continued to attract the support of other African leaders. He retained a strong grip on power through rigged elections until he was finally forced to resign in November 2017 at the age of 93.
A letter from Mr Mugabe read out in Zimbabwe’s parliament said: ‘My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power.’ Cars began honking horns and people cheered in the streets of Harare as the news spread. Mr Mugabe, who had been the world’s oldest head of state at 93, was replaced by Mr Mnangagwa, who had recently been fired as Mr Mugabe’s vice-president.
His leadership of the former British colony was marked with bloodshed, persecution of political opponents and vote-rigging on a large scale. The news was confirmed by current Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said Mugabe died surrounded by his family, including wife Grace.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe.
‘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.’
Mugabe was the nation’s first post-independence leader, serving first as prime minister and later as president. He was born on 21 February 1924, in what was then Rhodesia and trained as a teacher.
He was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial after criticising the government of Rhodesia in 1964. While in jail, he was chosen as president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu), of which he was a founding father.
He became prime minister in 1980 of the new Republic of Zimbabwe and assumed the role of president seven years later.
Before he was removed two years ago, he was the only leader the country had known post-independence and had vowed to rule until he died. Mugabe was an outspoken critic of the West – most notably the UK – and he denounced the former colonial power as ‘an enemy country.’
To his supporters, he will be remembered as a revolutionary hero who helped free Zimbabwe from colonialism and minority white rule. But his record in government is one of economic mismanagement, widespread corruption, anti-white racism and widespread human rights abuses.
In 2000, he led a campaign to evict white farmers off their land, which was given to black Zimbabweans and led to famine. Much of his dirty work was carried out by his bullying henchman who attacked and often murdered white farmers, burning their homes, looting their possessions and confiscating their lands.
Under Mugabe’s leadership, the economy of the mineral-rich country descended into chaos with thousands of people reduced to grinding poverty and reduced to near-starvation. Despite his brutal treatment of political opponents, he continued to attract the support of other African leaders. He retained a strong grip on power through rigged elections until he was finally forced to resign in November 2017 at the age of 93.
A letter from Mr Mugabe read out in Zimbabwe’s parliament said: ‘My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power.’ Cars began honking horns and people cheered in the streets of Harare as the news spread. Mr Mugabe, who had been the world’s oldest head of state at 93, was replaced by Mr Mnangagwa, who had recently been fired as Mr Mugabe’s vice-president.
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