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Zimbabwe's Mugabe Leaves Behind Mixed Legacy

Anita Powell

   MAPUTO/HARARE/WASHINGTON - Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, who
   died in a Singapore hospital Friday at age 95, leaves behind a
   complicated legacy. To some, he was a liberation hero who stood by his
   principles. Others say he rigged elections, destroyed the economy of
   what was once Africa's breadbasket and terrorized his people for
   decades.

   Mugabe's former deputy, current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, stuck to
   the hero narrative in Twitter posts Friday announcing Mugabe's death.

   "It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of
   Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde (Comrade) Robert
   Mugabe," Mnangagwa said.

   A second post described Mugabe as "an icon of liberation, a
   pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and
   empowerment of his people."

     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 (2/2)
     -- President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) [1]September 6, 2019

   The African Union's ambassador to the United States, Arikana
   Chihombori-Quao, described Mugabe as courageous, crediting him in
   particular for what Mugabe called land reform -- and what his critics
   saw as confiscation of white-owned farms.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1169839311430115329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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