Difference between revisions of "Robert Mugabe"
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== Rise to Power == | == Rise to Power == | ||
| − | Mugabe came into power after being one of the rebel leaders who fought against Rhodesia's | + | Mugabe came into power after being one of the rebel leaders who fought against Rhodesia's white government. The various rebel groups, although not neccessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by [[China]], the [[Soviet Union]], [[East Germany]], [[North Korea]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Cuba]], [[Lybia]], [[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. |
== Policy == | == Policy == | ||
Revision as of 00:26, March 1, 2009
Robert Mugabe has been the repressive dictator of Zimbabwe since December 31, 1987. Zimbabwe was previously a British colony, when it was known as Rhodesia. [1] He violently oppresses anyone who opposes his government. He has cracked down on dissidents and violently seized farms from white (and many black) farm owners - 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 Marxist "Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front" (ZANU-PF).[2]
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. He last allowed an election in 2002 but “won” only after having his leading opponent arrested for treason.
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 neccessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by China, the Soviet Union, East Germany, North Korea, Mozambique, Tanzania, Cuba, Lybia, 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.
Policy
Although nominally Marxist, Mugabe's policies are best described as the policies of extreme self-interest, where everything and anything goes as long as it serves to further entrench his grip on power. The democratic process has been reduced to a farce by ballot stuffing and voter intimidation, his redistribution of land from farmers to his cronies and supporters has resulted in disastrously low harvest, and his refusal to accept aid, advice or criticism from outside have led to a cholera epidemic and an annual inflation rate of approximately 516,000,000,000,000,000,000%[3]. Violence and fear have become ingrained into everyday life in the country, and all who oppose him are tarred with the tag of subversives and dealt with in brutal fashion.
Fast Facts
- Date of Birth 21/02/1924
- Place of Birth Kutama Mission, Zvimba
- Country of Residence Zimbabwe
- Nationality Zimbabwean
- Father's Name Gabriel Mugabe
- Mother's Name Bona Shonhiwa
- Spouse's Name Grace Marufu
- Marriage Date 00/08/1996
- Children 2 son(s) 1 daughter(s)
- School Kutuma Mission School
- Son of a village carpenter
- Trained as a teacher in a Roman Catholic mission.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts University of Fort Hare Education 1951
- Bachelor of Science University of London - UOL Economics
- Master of Science University of South Africa Economics
- Bachelor of Law University of South Africa
- Master of Laws University of South Africa
- Bachelor of Administration University of South Africa
- Bachelor of Education University of South Africa
References
- ↑ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html
- ↑ http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054151/Robert-Mugabe
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3451873/Zimbabwe-inflation-second-worst-in-history.html
- ↑ http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=3562
