Former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe passed away today of an undisclosed illness in Singapore. Mugabe was in power from 1980 until he was deposed in a coup by Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017. Mnangagwa announced his death on Twitter stating, “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.”
While it is true that Mugabe was a critical figure in ending white minority rule in Rhodesia, he was no liberator and left Zimbabwe far worse than it ever was the dark days of Ian Smith. Mugabe was no Mandela. His land confiscation policies turned the country from a net exporter to a net importer of food and would render the Zimbabwean dollar worthless and its economy dependent on the black market. Throw in an AIDS crisis and political violence and you have a country where life is nasty, brutish and short. Mugabe lived nearly 40 years longer than the average life expectancy of a Zimbabwean male. He might have lost the presidency, but with an estimated net worth of $20 million he lived far more lavishly than most Zimbabweans for whom bread is considered a luxury item.
Mnangagwa is certainly no better than Mugabe. His response to fuel protests earlier this year make that fact very clear. But Mugabe set the template and with absolute power it will be nearly impossible to find a leader prepared to deviate from that template. In which case, not much will change in Zimbabwe in the foreseeable future. As such our tears should be shed for Zimbabweans, not for Mugabe.
No comments:
Post a Comment