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| polbeliefs  =Socialism

| polbeliefs  =Socialism

| party        =Zimbabwe African National Union

| party        =Zimbabwe African National Union

| dictatordate =1987

| dictatordate =1987–2017<br><small>(Prime Minister from 1980–1987)</small>

| war          =-

| war          =-

| deathnumber  =-

| deathnumber  =-

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'''Robert Mugabe''' has been the repressive dictator of [[Zimbabwe]] since December 31, 1987. Zimbabwe was previously a [[British]] colony, Southern Rhodesia, and a short-lived Republic, known as [[Rhodesia]].<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html</ref> He violently oppresses anyone who opposes his government. He has cracked down on dissidents and violently seized farms- seizures that led to much of the land becoming desolate as those who took the land knew about guns, not farming.  A black nationalist, he eventually established one-party rule in his country, becoming Executive President of Zimbabwe in 1987 with his [[Marxism|Marxist]] "Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front" (ZANU-PF).<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054151/Robert-Mugabe</ref>  

'''Robert Mugabe''' was the repressive dictator of [[Zimbabwe]] from December 31, 1987 to November 21, 2017. Zimbabwe was previously a [[British]] colony, Southern Rhodesia, and a short-lived Republic, known as [[Rhodesia]].<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html</ref> He violently oppressed anyone who opposed his government. He has cracked down on dissidents and violently seized farms – seizures that led to much of the land becoming desolate as those who took the land knew about guns, not farming.  A black nationalist, he eventually established one-party rule in his country, becoming Executive President of Zimbabwe in 1987 with his [[Marxism|Marxist]] "Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front" (ZANU-PF).<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054151/Robert-Mugabe</ref>  

In his 27 years in power, he has gone from the poster boy for the "New [[Africa]]", ruled by educated, democratic leaders, to the bottom of the heap.  Under his rule the health and well-being of his people have dropped dramatically, with his arbitrary arrests and torture of anyone considered to be an opponent.  According to the [[World Health Organization]], Zimbabwe has the world’s shortest life expectancy - 37 years for men and 34 for women. It also has the greatest percentage of orphans, about 25%, says [[UNICEF]], and the worst annual inflation rate. Mugabe last won a "free" election in 2002 but “won” only after having his leading opponent arrested for treason. Mugabe attempted to oust Morgan Tsvangirai from the political scene in 2008, however he failed and Mugabe lost to Tsvangirai, but refused to step down. The Zimbabwe parliament has forced Mugabe to accept Tsvangirai as his Prime Minister, a post Mugabe previously removed. {{who says}}

In his 37 years in power, he went from the poster boy for the "New [[Africa]]", ruled by educated, democratic leaders, to the bottom of the heap.  Under his rule, the health and well-being of his people have dropped dramatically, with his arbitrary arrests and torture of anyone considered to be an opponent.  According to the [[World Health Organization]], Zimbabwe has the world’s shortest life expectancy - 37 years for men and 34 for women. It also has the greatest percentage of orphans, about 25%, says [[UNICEF]], and the worst annual inflation rate. Mugabe last won a "free" election in 2002 but “won” only after having his leading opponent arrested for treason. Mugabe attempted to oust Morgan Tsvangirai from the political scene in 2008, however, he failed and Mugabe lost to Tsvangirai, but refused to step down. The Zimbabwe parliament has forced Mugabe to accept Tsvangirai as his Prime Minister, a post Mugabe previously removed. {{who says}}

== Rise to Power ==

== Rise to Power ==

Mugabe came into power after being one of the rebel leaders who fought against Rhodesia's white government. The various rebel groups, although not necessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by [[China]], the [[Soviet Union]], [[East Germany]], [[North Korea]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Cuba]], [[Libya]], [[Ethiopia]] and the Communist Party of Great Britain. The [[UK]] and the [[UN]] did nothing, as [[Ian Smith]], the Rhodesian government leader, had done absolutely nothing to endear himself to the world. Indeed, when faced with the prospect of having to grant equal rights and representation to the country's black citizens, he had responded by unilaterally declaring independence from [[Great Britain]]. Eventually, the British did step in and negotiated the Lancaster House agreement, which brought full democracy to Zimbabwe. Mugabe won the subsequent election - which was free and fair - by some margin, thus beginning his rule over the country.

Mugabe came to power after being one of the rebel leaders who fought against Rhodesia's white government. The various rebel groups, although not necessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by [[China]], the [[Soviet Union]], [[East Germany]], [[North Korea]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Cuba]], [[Libya]], [[Ethiopia]] and the Communist Party of Great Britain. The [[UK]] and the [[UN]] did nothing, as [[Ian Smith]], the Rhodesian government leader, had done absolutely nothing to endear himself to the world. Indeed, when faced with the prospect of having to grant equal rights and representation to the country's black citizens, he had responded by unilaterally declaring independence from [[Great Britain]]. Eventually, the British did step in and negotiated the Lancaster House agreement, which brought full democracy to Zimbabwe. Mugabe won the subsequent election – which was free and fair – by some margin, thus beginning his rule over the country. In 1987, Mugabe became Zimbabwe's first president after a governmental reorganization that created the position and gave it expanded powers.

Similar to many dictators Robert Mugabe has a personality cult. Nearly every major city and villiage in Zimbabwe contains a Mugabe road. Many Schools that had distinctly western names were changed to Robert Mugabe Academy or similar variations.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4968520.stm</ref>

Similar to many dictators Robert Mugabe has a personality cult. Nearly every major city and village in Zimbabwe contains a Mugabe road. Many Schools that had distinctly western names were changed to Robert Mugabe Academy or similar variations.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4968520.stm</ref>

 

*[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42071488 Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe resigns, ending 37-year rule]. ''BBC''. November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2017.</ref> and he was replaced by his former vice president [[Emmerson Mnangagwa]], whose record is about as tyrannical as Mugabe's.<ref>Hayward, John (November 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/11/24/emmerson-mnangagwa-interim-president-new-tyrant-zimbabwe/ Emmerson Mnangagwa Could Be Interim President or New Tyrant for Zimbabwe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 24, 2017.</ref>

== Policy ==

== Policy ==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mugabe, Robert}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mugabe, Robert}}

[[Category:Dictators]]

[[Category:Dictators]]

[[Category:Africa]]

[[Category:Africa]]

[[Category:Marxism]]

[[Category:Marxism]]