ADDIS ABABA – Former Zimbabwean President who led Zimbabwe for 37 years, Robert Mugabe has died aged 95 in a Singaporean Hospital, The international Media reported yesterday.
His Successor, the current Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated on his tweet “the founding father and former president of Zimbabwe” has passed away. Mnangagwa said on his tweet that “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 won Zimbabwe’s first election after independence, becoming prime minister in 1980. Serving in that role until 1987, when the government amended the constitution in 1987, he became president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, BBC reported. Many call Mugabe as “champion for black empowerment”. Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years and he was ousted from power on November 2017 and succeeded by his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mugabe was born on 21 February 1924 in what was then Rhodesia. He was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial after criticizing the government of Rhodesia in 1964. Mugabe was chosen as president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), which he was a founding member in 1973, while still in prison. Once released, he adopted a militant stance, heading to Mozambique and leading 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, elections for which were first held in 1980, BBC News reported. The passed away of Mugabe was reported on Friday early in the morning from his family while he was in Singaporean Hospital aged 95, two years after his ouster from power.
The Ethiopian Herald, September 7/2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
