Robert Mugabe was a former President of Zimbabwe, a country in Africa. Born on February 21, 1924, in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), he died on September 6, 2019, in Singapore.
Mugabe was the first prime minister of Zimbabwe when it gained independence in 1980. Later, he became the country’s president and stayed in power for nearly four decades.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Mugabe grew up as the son of a carpenter and was educated in a Catholic school. He studied and taught in South Africa and Ghana. When he returned to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1960, he became involved in politics, helping to form a political party called the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU).
In 1964, Mugabe was arrested and spent ten years in prison for his political activities. During this time, he earned law degrees through correspondence courses. After his release in 1974, he played a significant role in the fight against the white-minority government in Rhodesia.
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Mugabe-Veteran-President-Of-Zimbabwe(left)
Becoming Prime Minister and President
Mugabe’s party, ZANU-PF, won the 1980 elections in Zimbabwe, and he became the prime minister. At first, he worked to keep the white farmers and businesses in the country to help the economy. He also improved conditions for Black Zimbabweans with better wages and social services.
However, by 1982, Mugabe removed his political partner, Joshua Nkomo, from the government, leading to ethnic conflict between the Shona and Ndebele people. Despite his efforts, Zimbabwe’s economy continued to struggle, and many white people left the country.
In 1987, Mugabe changed Zimbabwe’s political system to a one-party state, making himself the country’s first executive president. He was re-elected in 1990, but the election was marked by violence and intimidation.
Growing Problems and Controversy
In the late 1990s, Zimbabwe faced many problems. The economy worsened, and Mugabe’s decision to send troops to help another country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led to strikes and riots at home. By 1999, a new opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), started to challenge Mugabe’s rule.
In 2000, the MDC won many parliamentary seats, but Mugabe’s party still controlled most of the government. Mugabe supported land reforms that forced white farmers to give up their land. This led to a major decline in agriculture, food shortages, and economic problems.
Robert Mugabe
By 2007, Zimbabwe had the highest inflation rate in the world and widespread unemployment. The government was criticized for human rights abuses and economic mismanagement, but Mugabe remained popular with his party.
End of Power
Mugabe continued to face opposition and unrest. In November 2017, he was pressured to resign from the presidency by political and military forces. Despite his long tenure and controversial policies, Mugabe is remembered as a significant figure in Zimbabwe’s history.
