Robert Mugabe

Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born February 21, 1924) has been the head of government in Zimbabwe, first as Prime Minister and later as first executive President, since 1980.

Opposition to Mugabe

In recent years Mugabe has emerged as one of Africa's most controversial leaders. His critics accuse him of being a corrupt dictator, and an extremely poor role model for the continent at a time when Africa should be trying to embrace greater democratic reforms. Mugabe's supporters tend to dismiss much of the criticism as being racially motivated, and characterize it as being little more than the bitter remarks of those who have been disadvantaged by his policies.

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Since Mugabe began to redistribute white-owned landholdings, he has faced harsh attacks, externally from mostly Western countries including the former colonial power of the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, and internally from trade-unions and urban Zimbabweans, who overwhelmingly support the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. In addition, some African figures have condemned Mugabe, such as Archbishop Pius Ncube, the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu (who called Mugabe a "caricature of an African dictator"), Zambia's long-time leader Kenneth Kaunda (who asked Mugabe to "bury the hatchet and get on with economic development instead of fighting colonialist ghosts"), and writer Wole Soyinka (who called Mugabe's regime "a disgrace to the continent" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4703021.stm), while Botswana President Festus Mogae distanced himself from the SADC statement opposing the Commonwealth suspension. Mugabe has been condemned by Western non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International, charging that he has committed human rights abuses against minority Ndebeles, the opposition MDC, white landowners, and homosexuals. Mugabe and a list of members of his government are now banned from entering the European Union.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - United States - Australia - Movement for Democratic Change - Pius Ncube - Desmond Tutu - Zambia - Kenneth Kaunda - Wole Soyinka - Botswana - Festus Mogae - Amnesty International - Human rights - Ndebele - European Union

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The land distribution scheme, as well as the political turmoil, have gravely affected Zimbabwe's economy (see: Economy of Zimbabwe). The former exporter of cereals is nowadays forced to import grain or to rely on humanitarian aid. Mugabe is also accused of favoring his political allies and members of his ethnic group during the redistribution of white farmers' land. Many of the victims of the current upheaval are farm workers, with no replacements while the land is standing idle.

Related Topics:
Economy of Zimbabwe - Humanitarian aid

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On March 9 2003, United States President George W. Bush approved measures for economic sanctions to be leveled against Mugabe and numerous other high-ranking Zimbabwe politicians, freezing their assets and barring Americans from engaging in any transactions or dealings with them. Justifying the move, Bush's spokesman stated the President and Congress believe that "the situation in Zimbabwe endangers the southern African region and threatens to undermine efforts to foster good governance and respect for the rule of law throughout the continent". The bill was known as the "Zimbabwe Democracy Act" and was predictably deemed "racist" by Mugabe.

Related Topics:
March 9 - 2003 - United States - President - George W. Bush - Sanctions

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On December 8, 2003, in protest against a further 18 months of suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations (thereby cutting foreign aid to Zimbabwe), Mugabe withdrew his country from the Commonwealth. According to reports, Robert Mugabe informed the leaders of Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa of his decision when they telephoned him to discuss the situation. Zimbabwe's government said the President did not accept the Commonwealth's position, and was leaving the group.

Related Topics:
December 8 - 2003 - Commonwealth of Nations - Jamaica - Nigeria - South Africa

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Many African nations, led by South Africa, want Zimbabwe to be brought back into the fold which they claim would encourage dialogue between Mugabe and domestic opponents, while industrialized Commonwealth powers, namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have held fast on the suspension of Zimbabwe.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Canada - Australia - New Zealand - Zimbabwe

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Pius Ncube, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, leads a consortium of Christian faiths opposed to Mugabe. Ncube has won human rights awards for opposing the alleged torture and starvation used as a political weapon by the Mugabe government. In 2005, Ncube has called for a "popular mass uprising" in the style of the Orange Revolution or Tulip Revolution to remove Mugabe from power.

Related Topics:
Pius Ncube - Roman Catholic - Archbishop - Bulawayo - Christian - Torture - 2005 - Orange Revolution - Tulip Revolution

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On April 8, 2005, Mugabe defied a European Union travel ban that does not apply to Vatican City by attending the Funeral of Pope John Paul II. He was granted a transit visa by the Italian authorities, as they are obliged to under the Concordat.

Related Topics:
April 8 - 2005 - European Union - Vatican City - Funeral of Pope John Paul II - Concordat

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Twice, Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group OutRage! has tried to place Mugabe under citizen's arrest for human rights abuses during the leader's visits to the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Peter Tatchell - Gay rights - OutRage! - Citizen's arrest

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Although Michigan State University and the University of Massachusetts each granted Mugabe an honorary Doctorate of Law, the student government at Michigan State- ASMSU- unanimously passed a resolution calling for his degree to be revoked. The issue is now being considered by the Board of Trustees and Commission on Honorary Doctorates.

Related Topics:
Michigan State University - University of Massachusetts - Student government - ASMSU

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