What happened in Zimbabwe: Mugabe, from an African hero to a pathetic dictator
(9 years ago)Robert Mugabe is 93 years old. He took power when he was 37. On November 16th, however, although it was not officially brought down in fear of the reactions of the rest of Africa, where coups are no longer welcome, the military has taken control of the country, to expel the “criminals” around the president of Zimbabwe. Purpose [...]
Robert Mugabe is 93 years old. He took power when he was 37. On November 16th, however, although it was not officially brought down in fear of the reactions of the rest of Africa, where coups are no longer welcome, the military has taken control of the country, to expel the “criminals” around the president of Zimbabwe.
The purpose of the generals is actually more limited. The military wants to hit Grace Mugaben, the president's wife, a 52-year-old smart woman, with the nickname “the first provider”, “Gucci Grace” or simply “DisGrace (Turkish)“. Grace had planned to take her husband's place, convincing her to oust the vice president who would have to succeed her when the time came.
The army was the last attack that could be endured.
White Against Blacks
It's a pathetic spectacle, slow and painful sinking, of a man who has long been the hero of Africa, applauded and honored in the world, almost as much as Nelson Mandela.
Zimbabwe is the former Rodezia, the prosperous British colony that, owners of white land, had declared independence in 1965 to later maintain control of the country against the colored majority. Under the leadership of one, Ian Smith, the rodeian whites hoped to resist the decolonization movement by using it to make profit.
It was no longer the power against the colony, but it was a more direct clash, the whites against the blacks, in a battle in which London sided most colored. It could end up in great bloodshed, but the leader of the Indianist Robert Mugabe managed to negotiate with the more realistic whites, promising full citizenship for all in exchange for a peaceful transition. It was 1980, all 37 years ago.
But absolute power corrupts in an absolute way, and this wise man ended up losing his mind. Mugabe became a dictator. When a coloured union leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, became ally with the great white owners to fight against him in the election, Mugabe exhumed white factories and brutally oppressed his political and unionists.
“Jua had said”, Ian Smith commented. In 1965 she was right, but 15 years later, the Zimbabwes began their descent into the religion. Until this coup, which refuses to be called one.
Bernard Guetta, the world.al