Founding Father Facade
The Global Citizen
For anyone with friends or family in Zimbabwe, it is apparent that the death of former president Robert Mugabe and the current state of its government has left the country in a decades-long state of chaos. His death leaves many things open to change, although many worry that it might not be for the betterment of the people. Instead, they worry that this transitional period might create more instability in an already unpredictable country.
Before understanding the impact that President Mugabe’s death had, it is important to understand the impact he had on the country. In his youth, Mugabe joined African Nationals in calling for an independent state from the British Empire, back when Zimbabwe was still known as Southern Rhodesia. Many young adults at the time were joining protests and movements pushing for an African-led government instead of the decisions being made by the small white minority. Eventually, after years of struggling for independence and autonomy in the hands of the African people, they finally achieved liberation from the British Empire. A year later, after the Lancaster House Agreement called for ceasefire, Mugabe was sworn in as the Prime Minister and announced that Southern Rhodesia would now be known as Zimbabwe, claiming this as a step towards racial reconciliation.
Today, most people, both in Zimbabwe and around the world, will agree that Mugabe was a very controversial public figure and individual. On one hand, he is celebrated as a revolutionary who fought on behalf of the African people and against institutional racism and colonialism. Unfortunately, on the other hand, he is also considered a dictator and the cause of many maladies such as corruption, economic instability, strong anti-white sentiment and even crimes against humanity. So most are torn between enjoying the independence from white minority rule while dealing with the plethora of issues within the country and its government. When even members of Mugabe’s own party ousted him in a coup, maybe he should have considered exactly what kind of path he was going down.
Whether Mugabe had done a lot of good for the country does not dismiss or negate all of his negative political, social and economic impacts. It is important to acknowledge both sides of Robert Mugabe. Acknowledge and celebrate all that he did for the sake of his people’s freedom and how he played a crucial role in shaping Zimbabwe into the country and society it has become today. But at the same time, it is difficult to ignore the corruption and human rights violations that he has allowed or even enforced. The good he is praised for cannot excuse the bad. Now that he has passed, attention should be paid to those who are in power to make sure that the intentional and radical changes inspired by the life of President Mugabe should always be done in favor for the Zimbabwean people.
Wesley Rodriguez-Diep is a senior studying international relations.