Robert Mugabe, the first post-independence leader of Zimbabwe, has died at the age of 95.
Mr Mugabe’s death, after a long health battler, was confirmed by his family to the BBC on Friday afternoon (AEST).
It was also announced on social media by Zimbabwe’s current president, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Mr Mugabe was ousted from power in a military coup in November 2017, ending his three-decade reign. He had been in power since the creation of an independent Zimbabwe from the former Rhodesia in 1980.
It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Zimbabwe is a democracy, but in the past 15 years elections have been marred by accusations of rigging and violence against political opponents.
Mr Mugabe presided over a deepening economic crisis in the African nation, where people are on average 15 per cent poorer now than they were in 1980.
Zimbabwe’s education secretary Fadzayi Mahere tweeted: “Rest In Peace, Robert Mugabe.”
-more to come
The post Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe dies, aged 95 appeared first on The New Daily.
**Business and Marketing support on best price; Hit the link now----> http://bit.ly/2HsQmSi