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.

Succession

As one of Africa's longest-lasting leaders, speculation has built over the years as to the future of Zimbabwe after Mugabe leaves office. His age and increasing reports of failing mental and

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

physical health have focused more attention on possible successors within his party as well as the opposition.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In June 2005, a report that Mugabe had entered a hospital for tests on his heart fueled rumors that he had died of a heart attack; http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1118181942421_110/?hub=World these reports were dismissed by a Mugabe spokesman. This coincided with Operation Murambatsvina (or "Drive Out Trash"), a police campaign to demolish houses and businesses that had been built without permission on land previously taken from white landholders and intended for redistribution. Opponents called this an attempt to disperse urban centers of dissent into rural areas where the government had more control. Former information minister Jonathan Moyo attributed the events to a power struggle within the party over who would succeed Mugabe.

Related Topics:
Heart - Heart attack - Operation Murambatsvina - Jonathan Moyo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Joyce Mujuru, recently elevated to vice-president of ZANU-PF during the December 2004 party congress and considerably younger than Joseph Msika, the other vice-president, has been mentioned as a likely successor to Mugabe.

Related Topics:
Joyce Mujuru - ZANU-PF - 2004 - Joseph Msika

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~