The former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has passed away at the age of 95.
Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his predecessor’s death 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.”
Cde Mugabe had ruled the African nation for nearly four decades when he was forced to resign in November 2017 when his own ruling Zanu-PF party betrayed him during a takeover by the army. Mugabe served as prime minister from 1980 – 1987 and then as President from 1987 – 2017.
Despite his achievements, the former President had become a deeply divisive figure, leading the country from independence and then later to economic collapse. Mugabe’s mental and physical health had been deteriorating somewhat before his resignation in 2017 and worsened since.
Photo Credit: Al Jazeera English via Flickr under licence (CC BY-SA 2.0)
