His Excellency The Honourable Robert Mugabe KCB
Mugabe at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 January 2008
President of Zimbabwe
Incumbent
Assumed office  31 December 1987
Vice President	Simon Muzenda Joshua Nkomo Joseph Msika Joyce Mujuru
Preceded by	Canaan Banana
Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
In office 18 April 1980 – 31 December 1987
President	Canaan Banana
Preceded by	Abel Muzorewa (Zimbabwe Rhodesia)
Succeeded by	Post abolished
Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement
In office 06 September 1986 – 07 September 1989
Preceded by	Zail Singh
Succeeded by	Janez Drnovšek
Born	21 February 1924 (1924-02-21) (age 84) Kutama, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
Political party	ZANU-PF
Spouse	Sally Hayfron (deceased) Grace Marufu
Alma mater	University of Fort Hare University of London University of South Africa
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature

Robert Gabriel Mugabe KCB (born on February 21, 1924) has served as the head of government in Zimbabwe since 1980, as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987 and as the first executive President since 1987. The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable (abbreviated to " The Hon The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The African Union (abbreviated AU in English, and UA in its other working languages is a Confederation consisting of 53  African Addis Ababa (sometimes spelled Addis Abeba, the spelling used by the official Ethiopian Mapping Authority Amharic NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common This page contains a list of presidents of Zimbabwe. Canaan Banana was a "figurehead" president but Mugabe has been an executive Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Simon Vengai Muzenda ( October 28 1922 &ndash September 20 2003) was a Shona from the Karanga group a Zimbabwean Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ( June 19, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1999) was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union Joseph Msika (born December 6 1923) has served as Vice President of Zimbabwe since 23 December 1999. Joice Mujuru (born April 15, 1955 as Joice Mugari is a Zimbabwean politician currently serving as one of two Vice-Presidents of Zimbabwe along with Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 10 November 2003 served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 18 April 1980 until 31 December 1987 The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is the Head of government in Zimbabwe. Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 10 November 2003 served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 18 April 1980 until 31 December 1987 Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa (born on 4 April 1925) served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from the Internal Settlement to the Lancaster The Prime Minister of Rhodesia (until 1964 Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia was the Head of government in the Colony of Rhodesia. The Non-Aligned Movement ( NAM) is an International organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)  Giani Zail Singh (ਜ਼ੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ May 5 1916 – December 25 1994) was an Indian politician and member of the Janez Drnovšek (janɛz dr̩nɒuʃɛk ( May 17 1950 &ndash February 23 2008) was a Slovenian liberal Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe. Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British Colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa, and known today as Zimbabwe The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe Sarah Francesca (Hayfron Mugabe ( 6 June, 1931 - 27 January, 1992) a Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Fort Hare University in South Africa was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959 The University of London is a university based primarily in London, England, UK. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article focuses on the cases where the Head of Government is a separate office from the Head of State See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. ^[1] He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) leader in guerilla warfare against white-minority rule in Rhodesia in the Bush War (1964–1979). The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics (ambushes raids etc Rhodesia was the name adopted when the formerly British colony of Southern Rhodesia declared itself independent ( Unilateral Declaration of Independence The Rhodesian Bush War, also known as the Second Chimurenga or the Zimbabwe Liberation Struggle, was a war which lasted from July 1964 to 1979 and Emerging from this conflict, Mugabe was hailed by Africans as a hero. ^[2][3]

After a costly intervention in the Second Congo War and mass expropriation of white-owned farmland, Western opinion turned sharply against Mugabe. The Second Congo War, also known as Africa's World War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Expropriation refers to Confiscation of Private property with the stated purpose of establishing social equality. Zimbabwe's economy spiraled downward, leading to food and oil shortages, hyperinflation, and massive emigration. Certain figures in this article use Scientific notation for readability "Emigrant" redirects here For the Butterflies, see Catopsilia. During this recent period his policies have been denounced in the West and at home as racist against Zimbabwe's white minority. A small number of people of European ethnic origin ( Whites) first came as settlers to the African country now known as Zimbabwe during the late nineteenth century ^[4][5][6] Mugabe has described his critics as "born again colonialists,"^[7][8] and both he and his supporters claim that Zimbabwe's problems are the legacy of imperialism,^[9] aggravated by Western economic meddling. On 3 April 2008, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced that the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change had won control of the parliament. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. This was confirmed when the results were released^[10]. Both the opposition and his party challenged the results in some constituencies. ^[11]. Mugabe lost the 2008 election to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, getting 43% to his 47. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra 9%^[12]

Contents 1 Early life 2 Early political career 3 Lancaster House Agreement 4 Prime Minister and President 4.1 Gukurahundi 4.2 Social programs 4.3 Views on homosexuality 4.4 Second Congo War 4.5 Land reform 4.6 Elections 4.6.1 General elections 2008 4.7 Criticism and opposition 4.8 Bans on travel in Europe and the U.S. 4.9 Appearance at the FAO conference, June 2008 4.10 Succession 5 Personal life 6 Awards and honours 7 Further reading 8 References 9 External links

Early life

Mugabe was born in Matibiri village near Kutama Mission in the Zvimba District northeast of Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia. Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe. Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British Colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa, and known today as Zimbabwe He had two older brothers, one of them, Michael, was very popular in the village. Both his older brothers died, leaving Robert and his younger brother, Donato. ^[13] His father, Gabriel Mugabe Matibiri, a carpenter,^[14] abandoned the Mugabe family in 1934 after Michael died, in search of work in Bulawayo. A carpenter (builder is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry - a wide range of Woodworking that includes constructing buildings, Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, after the capital Harare, with a population of 676000 (UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator Zimbabwe 2005 now estimated ^[15] Mugabe was raised as a Roman Catholic, studying in Marist Brothers and Jesuit schools, including the exclusive Kutama College, headed by an Irish priest, Father Jerome O'Hea, who took him under his wing. The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary a Roman Catholic Marian Society, are a Catholic Religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Kutama College (officially St Francis Xavier College) is an all-boys High school located near the town of Norton in the Zvimba area 80 kilometres Through his youth, Mugabe was never socially popular nor physically active but always spending long hours reading in the school's libraries and spending most of his time with the priests or his mother. He was described as never playing with the other children but always enjoying his own company^[14]. He qualified as a teacher, but left to study at Fort Hare in South Africa graduating in 1951 while meeting contemporaries such as Julius Nyerere, Herbert Chitepo, Robert Sobukwe and Kenneth Kaunda. Fort Hare University in South Africa was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959 The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Julius Kambarage Nyerere ( April 13, 1922 - October 14, 1999) served as the first President of Tanzania and previously Tanganyika Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo ( 15 June, 1923 &ndash 18 March, 1975) led the Zimbabwe African National Union until the Central Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe ( 5 December 1924; 27 February 1978 was a South African Political dissident, who founded the Pan Africanist Kenneth David Kaunda, commonly known as KK (born April 28, 1924) served as the first President of Zambia, from 1964 to 1991 He then studied at Driefontein in 1952, Salisbury (1953), Gwelo (1954), and Tanzania (1955–1957). Driefontein is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 3 and Region 5. Gweru ( formerly Gwelo) is a city near the centre of Zimbabwe at. Tanzania ˌtænzəˈniːə officially the United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya

Originally graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Fort Hare in 1951, Mugabe subsequently earned six further degrees through distance learning including a Bachelor of Administration and Bachelor of Education from the University of South Africa and a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Science and Master of Laws, all from the University of London External Programme. Fort Hare University in South Africa was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959 Distance education, or distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on the Pedagogy and Andragogy, technology and instructional systems design A Bachelor of Education ( BEd) is an undergraduate Academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a Teacher in Schools. A Bachelor of Science ( BS, BSc or BSc in the UK; less commonly S The Bachelor of Laws (abbreviated LLB, LLB or rarely LlB) is an undergraduate or bachelor degree in law offered in most Common law A Master of Science ( Latin: Magister Scientiæ; abbreviated MSc, M The Master of Laws is an advanced Academic degree, or research degree and is commonly abbreviated LL The University of London External System (until recently the University of London External Programme) is the External degree granting division of the University ^[16] The two Law degrees were taken whilst he was in prison, whilst the Master of Science degree was taken during his premiership of Zimbabwe. ^[17]

After graduating, Mugabe lectured at Chalimbana Teacher Training College, in Zambia from 1955–1958, thereafter he taught at Apowa Secondary School at Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana (1958 – 1960) where he met Sally Hayfron, who later became his first wife. The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. Sekondi-Takoradi, population 335000 (2005 is the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. The Western Region of Ghana includes the large twin city of Sekondi - Takoradi on the coast coastal Axim and a hilly inland area including The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the Sarah Francesca (Hayfron Mugabe ( 6 June, 1931 - 27 January, 1992) a During his stay in Ghana, he was influenced and inspired by Ghana's then-Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah. Kwame Nkrumah ( September 21, 1909 - April 27, 1972) was an influential 20th century advocate of Pan-Africanism, and the leader of In addition, Mugabe and some of his Zimbabwe African National Union party cadres received instruction at the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute, then at Winneba in southern Ghana. The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African Winneba, traditionally known as Simpa,is an historic fishing town in Ghana, lying on the south coast 35 miles west of Accra and 90 miles east of ^[18][19]

Early political career

Main article: History of Zimbabwe

Mugabe returned to Southern Rhodesia and joined the National Democratic Party in 1960. The history of Zimbabwe began with the end of the Bush War and the transition to Majority rule in 1980 ^[20] The administration of Prime Minister Ian Smith immediately banned the NDP when it later became Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU). Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID ( 8 April 1919 &ndash 20 November 2007) served as the Prime Minister of the British Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ( June 19, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1999) was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union Zimbabwe African People's Union is a defunct militant Communist organization and political party that fought for the National liberation of Zimbabwe from Mugabe left ZAPU in 1963 to join the rival Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) which had been formed in 1963 by the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Edson Zvobgo, Enos Nkala and lawyer Herbert Chitepo. The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African Ndabaningi Sithole ( 31 July 1920 – 12 December 2000) founded the Zimbabwe African National Union, a militant organization that opposed Edgar Zivanai Tekere (born April 1 1937) is a Zimbabwean Politician. Edson Jonasi Zvobgo ( October 2, 1935 - August 22, 2004) was a founder of Zimbabwe 's ruling party Zanu-PF, was the Patriotic Enos Nkala is one of the founders of the Zimbabwe African National Union. Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo ( 15 June, 1923 &ndash 18 March, 1975) led the Zimbabwe African National Union until the Central ZANU was influenced by the Africanist ideas of the Pan Africanist Congress in South Africa^[21] and influenced by Maoism while ZAPU was an ally of the African National Congress and was a supporter of a more orthodox pro-Soviet line on national liberation. The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (once known as the Pan Africanist Congress, abbreviated as the PAC was a South African liberation movement that Maoism, variably and officially known as Mao Zedong Thought ( is a variant of Marxism derived from the teachings of the late Chinese leader The African National Congress (ANC has been South Africa 's governing party supported by its Tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising Similar divisions can also be seen in the liberation movement in Angola between the MPLA and UNITA. Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (República de Angola Pronounced ʁɛˈpublikɐ dɨ ɐ̃ˈgɔlɐ Repubilika ya Ngola is a country in south-central The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola - Party of Labour (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola - Partido do Trabalho is an Angolan political party The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola ( União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola) is the second-largest Political party in Angola. It would have been easy for the party to split along tribal lines between the Ndebele and Mugabe's own Shona tribe, but cross-tribal representation was maintained by his partners. This article relates to the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe For other uses of the term please see Ndebele. Shona (ˈʃoʊnə is the name collectively given to several groups of people in Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique. ZANU leader Sithole nominated Robert Mugabe as his Secretary General.

In 1964 he was arrested for “subversive speech” and spent the next 10 years in Salisbury prison. During that period he earned three degrees, including a law degree from London and a bachelor of administration from the University of South Africa by correspondence courses. Smith did not allow Mugabe out of prison to attend the funeral of Mugabe's three-year-old son. ^[14] In 1974, while still in prison, Mugabe was elected -- with the powerful influence of Edgar Tekere -- to take over the reigns of ZANU after a no-confidence vote was passed on Ndabaningi Sithole (Mugabe himself abstained from voting). Edgar Zivanai Tekere (born April 1 1937) is a Zimbabwean Politician. Ndabaningi Sithole ( 31 July 1920 – 12 December 2000) founded the Zimbabwe African National Union, a militant organization that opposed His time in prison burnished his reputation and helped his cause. ^[14]

Mugabe unilaterally assumed control of ZANU from Mozambique. Later that year, after squabbling with Ndabaningi Sithole, Mugabe formed a militant ZANU faction, leaving Sithole to lead the moderate Zanu (Ndonga) party, which renounced violent struggle. Ndabaningi Sithole ( 31 July 1920 – 12 December 2000) founded the Zimbabwe African National Union, a militant organization that opposed Zimbabwe African National Union – Ndonga ( ZANU–Ndonga) is a small political party in Zimbabwe. Many opposition leaders mysteriously died during this time, including one who died in a car crash but was allegedly riddled with bullet holes. ^[14] An opposing newspaper's printing press was bombed and its journalists tortured. A printing press is a mechanical device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a medium (such as paper or cloth thereby transferring an image ^[14]

Lancaster House Agreement

Main article: Lancaster House Agreement

Persuasion from B.J. Vorster, himself under pressure from Henry Kissinger, forced Smith to accept in principle that white minority rule could not continue indefinitely. The Lancaster House Agreement ended biracial rule in Zimbabwe Rhodesia following negotiations between representatives of the Patriotic Front (PF consisting of ZAPU Balthazar Johannes Vorster (13 December 1915 - 10 September 1983 better known as John Vorster ("FOUR-stir" served as the Prime Minister of South Africa Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German -born American bureaucrat diplomat and 1973 On March 3, 1978 Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Ndabaningi Sithole and other moderate leaders signed an agreement at Governor's Lodge in Salisbury, which paved the way for an interim power-sharing government, in preparation for elections. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa (born on 4 April 1925) served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from the Internal Settlement to the Lancaster Ndabaningi Sithole ( 31 July 1920 – 12 December 2000) founded the Zimbabwe African National Union, a militant organization that opposed The elections were won by the United African National Council under Bishop Abel Muzorewa, but international recognition did not follow and sanctions were not lifted. The Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election of April 1979 was held under the internal settlement negotiated by the Rhodesian Front government of Ian Smith intended The United African National Council (UANC is a political party in Zimbabwe. Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa (born on 4 April 1925) served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from the Internal Settlement to the Lancaster The two 'Patriotic Front' groups under Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo refused to participate and continued the war. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ( June 19, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1999) was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union

The incoming government did accept an invitation to talks at Lancaster House in September 1979. The Lancaster House Agreement ended biracial rule in Zimbabwe Rhodesia following negotiations between representatives of the Patriotic Front (PF consisting of ZAPU A ceasefire was negotiated for the talks, which were attended by Smith, Mugabe, Nkomo, Edson Zvobgo and others. Edson Jonasi Zvobgo ( October 2, 1935 - August 22, 2004) was a founder of Zimbabwe 's ruling party Zanu-PF, was the Patriotic Eventually the parties to the talks agreed on a new constitution for a new Republic of Zimbabwe with elections in February 1980. Mugabe had to concede to accepting 20 seats reserved for whites in the new Parliament and to the inability of the new government to alter the constitution for ten years. His return to Zimbabwe in December 1979 was greeted with enormous supportive crowds.

Prime Minister and President

After a campaign marked by intimidation from all sides, mistrust from security forces and reports of full ballot boxes found on the road, the Shona majority was decisive in electing Mugabe to head the first government as prime minister on 4 March 1980. Shona (ˈʃoʊnə is the name collectively given to several groups of people in Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) ZANU won 57 out of 80 Common Roll seats in the new parliament, with the 20 white seats all going to the Rhodesian Front. The Rhodesian Front ( RF) was a Political party in Southern Rhodesia when the country was under White minority rule.

Mugabe, whose political support came from his Shona-speaking homeland in the north, attempted to build Zimbabwe on a basis of an uneasy coalition with his Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) rivals, whose support came from the Ndebele-speaking south, and with the white minority. Shona (or chiShona is a Bantu language, native to the Shona people of Zimbabwe and southern Zambia; the term is also used to identify peoples Zimbabwe African People's Union is a defunct militant Communist organization and political party that fought for the National liberation of Zimbabwe from The Northern Ndebele language, or isiNdebele, or Sindebele, is an African language belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages, and spoken Mugabe sought to incorporate ZAPU into his Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) led government and ZAPU's military wing into the army. The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African ZAPU's leader, Joshua Nkomo, was given a series of cabinet positions in Mugabe's government. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ( June 19, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1999) was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union However, Mugabe was torn between this objective and pressures to meet the expectations of his own ZANU followers for a faster pace of social change.

In 1983, Mugabe fired Nkomo from his cabinet, triggering bitter fighting between ZAPU supporters in the Ndebele-speaking region of the country and the ruling ZANU. The Northern Ndebele language, or isiNdebele, or Sindebele, is an African language belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages, and spoken Between 1982 and 1985, the military crushed armed resistance from Ndebele groups in the provinces of Matabeleland and the Midlands, leaving Mugabe's rule secure. The Gukurahundi ( Shona: "the early rain which washes away the Chaff before the spring rains" refers to an armed conflict between the Zimbabwe Government This article relates to the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe For other uses of the term please see Ndebele. Modern day Matabeleland is a region in Zimbabwe currently divided into two provinces Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. Mugabe has been accused by the BBC's Panorama programme of committing mass murder during this period of his rule. ^[22] A peace accord was negotiated in 1987^[23]. ZAPU merged into the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) on December 22, 1988. The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) ^[24] Mugabe brought Nkomo into the government once again as a vice-president.

In 1987, the position of Prime Minister was abolished and Mugabe assumed the new office of executive President of Zimbabwe gaining additional powers in the process. He was re-elected in 1990 and 1996, and in 2002 amid claims of widespread vote-rigging and intimidation. Mugabe's term of office expired at the end of March 2008.

Mugabe has been the Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe since Parliament passed the University of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill in November 1990. A Chancellor is the head of a University. Other titles are sometimes used such as President or Rector. The University of Zimbabwe (UZ, is the first and largest university in Zimbabwe. ^[25]

Gukurahundi

Main article: Gukurahundi

More than 20,000 Ndebele civilians were killed by Mugabe's North-Korean trained 5th Brigade during the Gukurahundi (“the early rain that washes away the chaff”)^[14] ethnic massacres. The Gukurahundi ( Shona: "the early rain which washes away the Chaff before the spring rains" refers to an armed conflict between the Zimbabwe Government The Gukurahundi ( Shona: "the early rain which washes away the Chaff before the spring rains" refers to an armed conflict between the Zimbabwe Government ^[26][27] Their leader was Perence Shiri who called himself 'Black Jesus'. Air Marshal Perence Shiri (born 11 January 1955) is the current commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe and a member of the Joint Operations ^[28] Mugabe is said to fear prosecution for this massacre, with bills calling for inquiries into the incident sometimes introduced into Parliament. ^[14] The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has said that if it comes to power, it will call for an international trial of the massacre. The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. ^[14] Most of the 20,000 killed were innocent civilians. ^[29]

Social programs

According to a 1995 World Bank report, after independence, "Zimbabwe gave priority to human resource investments and support for smallholder agriculture," and as a result, "smallholder agriculture expanded rapidly during the first half of the 1980s and social indicators improved quickly. The World Bank is an internationally supported Bank that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development programs (e " From 1980 to 1990 infant mortality decreased from 86 to 49 per 1000 live births, under five mortality was reduced from 128 to 58 per 1000 live births, and immunisation increased from 25% to 80% of the population. Infant mortality is defined as the number of deaths of Infants (one year of age or younger per 1000 live births Also, "child malnutrition fell from 22% to 12% and life expectancy increased from 56 to 64. By 1990, Zimbabwe had a lower infant mortality rate, higher adult literacy and higher school enrollment rate than average for developing countries. "^[30]

In 1991, the government of Zimbabwe, short on hard currency and under international pressure, embarked on an austerity program. In Economics, austerity is when a national government reduces its spending in order to pay back Creditors Austerity is usually required when a government's fiscal The World Bank's 1995 report explained that such reforms were required because Zimbabwe was unable to absorb into its labour market the many graduates from its impressive education system and that it needed to attract additional foreign investments. The reforms however undermined the livelihoods of Zimbabwe's poor majority; the report noted "large segments of the population, including most smallholder farmers and small scale enterprises, find themselves in a vulnerable position with limited capacity to respond to evolving market opportunities. This is due to their limited access to natural, technical and financial resources, to the contraction of many public services for smallholder agriculture, and to their still nascent links with larger scale enterprises. "

Moreover, these people were forced to live on marginal lands as Zimbabwe's best lands were reserved for mainly white landlords growing cash crops for export, a sector of the economy favoured by the IMF's plan. For the poor on the communal lands, "existing levels of production in these areas are now threatened by the environmental fragility of the natural resource base and the unsustainability of existing farming practices. "^[30] The International Monetary Fund later suspended aid, saying reforms were "not on track. The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is an International organization that oversees the Global financial system by following the Macroeconomic "

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), life expectancy at birth for Zimbabwean men is 37 years and is 34 years for women, the lowest such figures for any nation. ^[31] The World Bank's 1995 report predicted this decline in life expectancy from its 1990 height of 64 years when, commenting on health care system cuts mandated by the IMF structural adjustment programme, it stated that "The decline in resources is creating strains and threatening the sustainability of health sector achievements. "^[30]

The Zimbabwe dollar suffers from the highest Inflation rate of any currency in the world. In economics inflation or price inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time Zimbabwe official statistics reveal that the annualised inflation rate for September 2006 was 1000%. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its World Economic Outlook database, reported inflation in 2006 at 1216%. The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is an International organization that oversees the Global financial system by following the Macroeconomic ^[32] Inflation reached 9,000% on June 21,^[33] and 11,000% on June 22, 2007^[34]. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. It continues to climb rapidly, and reportedly exceeds 100,000% as of April 2008. ^[35]

While Zimbabwe has suffered in many other measures under Mugabe, as a former schoolteacher he has been well-known for his commitment to education. ^[14] However, Catholic Archbishop of Zimbabwe Pius Ncube decried the educational situation in the country, saying, among other scathing indictments of Mugabe, "We had the best education in Africa and now our schools are closing. His Grace the Most Reverend Dr Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube (born December 31, 1946) served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo "^[36]

Views on homosexuality

Mugabe has waged a violent campaign against homosexuals, arguing that prior to colonisation Zimbabweans did not engage in homosexual acts. Male Homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe, laws which date to the Rhodesia and British colonial eras and since 1995 the government has carried out campaigns against homosexuals ^[37] His first major public condemnation of homosexuality came in 1995 during the Zimbabwe International Book Fair in August 1995. ^[38] He told the audience that homosexuality:

". . . Degrades human dignity. It's unnatural and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs. If dogs and pigs do not do it, why must human beings? We have our own culture, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to our traditional values that make us human beings. . . What we are being persuaded to accept is sub-animal behaviour and we will never allow it here. If you see people parading themselves as lesbians and gays, arrest them and hand them over to the police!"^[39]

In September 1995, Zimbabwe's parliament introduced legislation banning homosexual acts. ^[38] In 1997 a court found Canaan Banana, Mugabe's predecessor and the first President of Zimbabwe, guilty of 11 counts of sodomy and indecent assault. Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 10 November 2003 served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 18 April 1980 until 31 December 1987 ^[40] Banana's trial proved embarrassing for Mugabe, when Banana's accusers alleged that Mugabe knew about Banana's conduct and had done nothing to stop it. ^[41]

Second Congo War

Mugabe was blamed for Zimbabwe's participation in the Second Congo War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Second Congo War, also known as Africa's World War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to At a time when the Zimbabwean economy was struggling, Zimbabwe responded to a call by the Southern African Development Community to help the struggling regime in Kinshasa. The economy of Zimbabwe is collapsing under the weight of economic mismanagement resulting in 85% unemployment and spiraling Hyperinflation. The Southern African Development Community ( SADC) is an Inter-governmental organization. Kinshasa (formerly French: Léopoldville, formerly Dutch: Leopoldstad, German: Leopoldstadt) is the Capital The Democratic Republic of the Congo had been invaded by Rwanda and Uganda, both of which claimed that their civilians, and regional stability, were under constant threat of attack by various terrorist groups based in the Congo. The Republic of Rwanda (ruːˈændə or /rəˈwɑːndə/ in English ɾwanda or in Kinyarwanda is a small Landlocked country in the The Republic of Uganda is a Landlocked country in East Africa. ^[42] However, the Congolese government, as well as international commentators, charged that the motive for the invasion was to grab the rich mineral resources of eastern Congo. ^[43][44] The war raised accusations of corruption, with officials alleged to be plundering the Congo's mineral reserves. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific Mugabe's defence minister Moven Mahachi said, "Instead of our army in the DRC burdening the treasury for more resources, which are not available, it embarks on viable projects for the sake of generating the necessary revenue. Moven Enock Mahachi (1952 - 2001 served as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. "^[45]

Land reform

Main article: Land reform in Zimbabwe

When Zimbabwe gained independence 46. Land reform in Zimbabwe began after the signing of the Lancaster House Agreement in 1979 in an effort to more equitably distribute land between the historically disenfranchised 5% of the country's arable land was owned by around 6,000 commercial farmers. In Geography, arable land (from Latin arare, to Plough) is an agricultural term meaning land that can be used for ^[46] Mugabe accepted a "willing buyer, willing seller" plan as part of the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, among other concessions to the white minority. ^[47] As part of this agreement, land redistribution was blocked for a period of 10 years. ^[48]

In 1997, the new British government led by Tony Blair unilaterally stopped funding the "willing buyer, willing seller" land reform programme on the basis that the initial £44 million allocated under the Thatcher government was used to purchase land for members of the ruling elite rather than landless peasants. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Margaret Hilda Thatcher Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925 Furthermore, Britain's ruling Labour Party felt no obligation to continue paying white farmers compensation, or in minister Clare Short's words, "I should make it clear that we do not accept that Britain has a special responsibility to meet the costs of land purchase in Zimbabwe. Clare Short, PC, MP, (born 15 February 1946 is a British politician and a member of the British Labour Party. We are a new Government from diverse backgrounds without links to former colonial interests. My own origins are Irish and as you know we were colonised not colonisers. "^[49]

Some commentators, such as Matthew Sweet in The Independent, hold Cecil Rhodes ultimately responsible:

But it was Cecil Rhodes who originated the racist 'land grabs' to which Zimbabwe's current miseries can ultimately be traced. The Independent is a British compact Newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly 's Independent News & Media. Cecil John Rhodes, PC DCL (5 July 1853 &ndash 26 March 1902 was an English -born Businessman mining Magnate, and Politician It was Rhodes who in 1887 told the House Of Assembly in Capetown,South Africa that 'the native is to be treated as a child and denied the franchise. We must adopt a system on despotism in our relations with the barbarians of Southern Africa. . . I personally prefer land to niggers. '^[50]

On 12 to February 13, 2000, a referendum was held on a new constitution. Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Zimbabwe constitution referendum of February 12 - 13, 2000 saw the defeat of a proposed new Constitution of Zimbabwe which had been drafted A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity The proposed change would have limited future presidents to two terms, but as it was not retroactive, Mugabe could have stood for another two terms. It also would have made his government and military officials immune from prosecution for any illegal acts committed while in office. In addition, it allowed the government to confiscate white-owned land for redistribution to black farmers without compensation. The motion failed with 55% of participants against the referendum. ^[51] The referendum had a 20% turnout fuelled by an effective SMS campaign. Text messaging, or texting is the common term for the sending of "short" (160 characters or fewer including spaces text messages from Mobile phones Mugabe declared that he would "abide by the will of the people". The vote was a surprise to ZANU-PF, and an embarrassment before parliamentary elections due in mid-April. The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe Almost immediately, self-styled "war veterans", led by Chenjerai 'Hitler' Hunzvi, began invading white-owned farms. Chenjerai "Hitler" Hunzvi ( October 23, 1949 - June 4, 2001) served as Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Those who did not leave voluntarily were often tortured and sometimes killed. Many were forced to drink diesel fuel as a form of torture. ^[52] On April 6, 2000, Parliament pushed through an amendment, taken word for word from the draft constitution that was rejected by voters, allowing the seizure of white-owned farmlands without due reimbursement or payment^[53]. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Since these actions, agricultural production has plummeted and the economy is crippled. Once the "bread basket" of southern Africa and a major agricultural exporter, Zimbabwe now depends on food programs and support from outside to feed its population. ^[54] A third of the population depends on food supplies from the World Food Programme to avoid starvation. ^[54]

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. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Mugabe informed the leaders of Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa of his decision when they telephoned him to discuss the situation. Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Zimbabwe's government said the President did not accept the Commonwealth's position, and was leaving the group^[55].

The United Nations provoked anger when its Food and Agriculture Organisation invited Mugabe to speak at a celebration of its 60th anniversary in Rome. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Critics of the move argued that since Mugabe could not feed his own people without the UN's support, he was an inappropriate speaker for the group, which has a mission statement of "helping to build a world without hunger. "^[54]

In 2005, Mugabe ordered a raid conducted on what the government termed "illegal shelters" in Harare, resulting in 10,000 urban poor being left homeless from "Operation Murambatsvina (English: Operation Drive Out the Rubbish). Operation Murambatsvina ( English: Operation Drive Out Trash or Operation Drive Out Rubbish) also officially known as Operation Restore Order " The authorities themselves had moved the poor inhabitants to the area in 1992, telling them not to build permanent homes and that their new homes were temporary, leading the inhabitants to build their own temporary shelters out of cardboard and wood. ^[56] Since the inhabitants of the shantytowns overwhelmingly supported the Movement for Democratic Change opposition party in the previous election, many alleged that the mass bulldozing was politically motivated. The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. ^[56] The UK's Daily Telegraph noted that Mugabe's "latest palace," in the style of a pagoda, was located a mile from the destroyed shelters. A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered Tower with multiple Eaves common in China, Japan, Korea ^[56] The UN released a report stating that the actions of Mugabe resulted in the loss of home or livelihood for more than 700,000 Zimbabweans and negatively affected 2. 4 million more. ^[54]

As of September 2006, Mugabe's family owns three farms: Highfield Estate in Norton, 45 km west of Harare, Iron Mask Estate in Mazowe, about 40 km from Harare, and Foyle Farm in Mazowe, formerly owned by Ian Webster and adjacent to Iron Mask Farm, renamed to Gushungo Farm after Mugabe's own clan name. Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe. Mazowe is a village in Mashonaland Central province in Zimbabwe. ^[57] These farms were seized forcibly from their previous owners^[58].

Mugabe blames the food shortages on drought. A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply ^[54] Zimbabwe's state-owned press accused former British Prime Minister Tony Blair of using chemical weapons to incite droughts and famines in Africa. Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. ^[54]

Elections

In April 1979, 64 percent of the black citizens of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) lined up at the polls to vote in the first democratic election in the history of that southern African nation. Two-thirds of them supported Abel Muzorewa, a bishop in the United Methodist Church. He was the first black prime minister of a country only 4 percent white. Muzorewa's victory put an end to the 14-year political odyssey of outgoing prime minister Ian Smith, the stubborn World War II veteran who had infamously announced in 1976, "I do not believe in black majority rule--not in a thousand years. "

Less than a year after Muzorewa's victory, however, in February 1980, another election was held in Zimbabwe. This time, Robert Mugabe, the Marxist who had fought a seven-year guerrilla war against Rhodesia's white-led government, won 64 percent of the vote, after a campaign marked by widespread intimidation, outright violence, and Mugabe's threat to continue the civil war if he lost. Mugabe became prime minister and was toasted by the international community and media as a new sort of African leader.

Mugabe has continued to win elections, although frequently these have been criticised by outsiders for violating various electoral procedures.

Mugabe faced Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in presidential elections in March 2002. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. ^[59] Mugabe defeated Tsvangirai by 56. 2% to 41. 9% amid violence and the prevention of large numbers of citizens in urban areas from voting. The conduct of the elections was widely viewed internationally as having been manipulated. ^[60][61] Many groups, such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), assert that the result was rigged. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. ^[59]

On July 3, 2004, a report adopted by the African Union executive council, which comprises foreign ministers of the 53 member states, criticized the government for the arrest and torture of opposition members of parliament and human rights lawyers, the arrest of journalists, the stifling of freedom of expression and clampdowns on other civil liberties. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The African Union (abbreviated AU in English, and UA in its other working languages is a Confederation consisting of 53  African Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled It was compiled by the AU's African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which sent a mission to Zimbabwe from June 24 to 28 2002, shortly after the presidential elections. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights ( ACHPR) is a Quasi-judicial body tasked with promoting and protecting Human rights and collective Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place The report was apparently not submitted to the AU's 2003 summit because it had not been translated into French. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people It was adopted at the next AU summit in 2005^[62].

Mugabe's ZANU-PF party won the 2005 parliamentary elections with an increased majority. A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 31, 2005 to elect members to the Zimbabwe House of Assembly. The elections were said by (again) South African observers to "reflect the free will of the people of Zimbabwe", despite accusations of widespread fraud from the MDC. ^[63]

On February 6, 2007, Mugabe orchestrated a cabinet reshuffle, ousting ministers including five-year veteran finance minister Herbert Murerwa^[64]. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Herbert Muchemwa Murerwa (born July 31 1941) served as the Minister of Finance in the Government of Zimbabwe from 1996 to 2000 from August 2002 to February

On March 11, 2007, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested and beaten following a prayer meeting in the Harare suburb of Highfields. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra Another member of the Movement for Democratic Change was killed while other protesters were injured. The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. ^[65] Mugabe claimed that "Tsvangirai deserved his beating-up by police because he was not allowed to attend a banned rally" on March 30, 2007. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[66]

General elections 2008

Main article: Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008

Mugabe launched his election campaign on his birthday in Beitbridge, a small town on the border with South Africa on 23 February 2008 by denouncing both the opposition MDC and Simba Makoni's candidacy. The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on March 29, 2008. Beitbridge is a border town in the province of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni (born March 22 1950) is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election He was quoted in the state media as saying: "Dr Makoni lacked majority support while Mr Tsvangirai was in the presidential race simply to please his Western backers in exchange for money. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra "^[67] These are the charges he has used in the past to describe the leader of the opposition.

In the week Dr. Makoni launched his campaign for the presidency, he accused Mugabe of buying votes from the electorate. Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni (born March 22 1950) is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election This was a few hours after Dumiso Dabengwa had come out and endorsed Dr. Makoni's candidature. Dumiso Dabengwa (born December 6 1939) is a Zimbabwean politician Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni (born March 22 1950) is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election ^[68]

On April 2, 2008, The Zimbabwe election commission confirmed that Mr. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Mugabe and his party, known as ZANU-PF, lost control of Parliament. According to unofficial polling, Zanu-PF took 94 seats, and the main opposition party MDC took 96 seats. ^[69]. On 3 April 2008 Zimbabwean government forces began cracking down on the main opposition party and arresting at least two foreign journalists covering the disputed presidential election, including a correspondent for The New York Times. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[70][71]

When British Prime Minister Gordon Brown attempted to intervene into the election controversy, Mugabe dismissed him as "a little tiny dot on this planet. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is " ^[72]

The official results published by the Zimbabwe election commission on 2 May 2008, show that Mr. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Mugabe lost in the first round, getting 43. 2% of the votes against 47. 9% collected by Mr. Tsvangirai. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra Therefore no candidate secured the final win in the first round, and a presidential run-off will be needed. The opposition called the results "scandalous daylight robbery", claiming an outright victory in the first round with 50. 3% of the votes. ^[73]

Morgan Tsvangirai has agreed to a presidential run-off with Robert Mugabe. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra ^[74]

Criticism and opposition

Mugabe's critics accuse him of conducting a "reign of terror",^[56][75] and being an 'extremely poor role model' for the continent, whose 'transgressions' are 'unpardonable'. ^[76] In solidarity with the April 2007 general strike called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), British Trades Union Congress General Secretary Brendan Barber said of Mugabe's regime: 'Zimbabwe's people are suffering from Mugabe's appalling economic mismanagement, corruption and brutal repression. The Trades Union Congress (TUC is a national trade union centre, a federation of Trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade Brendan Paul Barber (born 3 April 1951, Southport, Merseyside) has been the General Secretary of Britain's Trades Union Congress They are standing up for their rights, and we must stand with them. " Lela Kogbara, Chair of ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa) similarly has said: "As with every oppressive regime women and workers are left bearing the brunt. Please join us as we stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle for peace, justice and freedom. "^[77]

Robert Guest, the Africa editor for The Economist for seven years, argues that Mugabe is to blame for Zimbabwe's economic freefall. Robert Guest is a Washington correspondent for The Economist and regularly appears on CNN and the BBC. "In 1980, the average annual income in Zimbabwe was US$950, and a Zimbabwean dollar was worth more than an American one. By 2003, the average income was less than US$400, and the Zimbabwean economy was in freefall. ^[78] "[Mugabe] has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly three decades and has led it, in that time, from impressive success to the most dramatic peacetime collapse of any country since Weimar Germany". The term Weimar Republic ( ˈvaɪmarɐ repuˈbliːk is used by historians to signify the democratic and Republican period of Germany from 1919 to 1933 ^[14]

In the The Daily Telegraph of London, Mugabe was criticised for comparing himself to Hitler. For "The Daily Telegraph" in Australia see The Daily Telegraph (Australia. Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately Mugabe was quoted as saying "This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be a Hitler tenfold. "^[79]

In recent years, Western governments have condemned Mugabe's government. On 9 March 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush approved measures for economic sanctions to be leveled against Mugabe and other high-ranking Zimbabwe politicians, freezing their assets and barring Americans from engaging in any transactions or dealings with them. Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Economic sanctions are domestic penalties applied by one country (or group of countries on another for a variety of reasons Justifying the move, Bush's spokesman stated that 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. ^[80]

In reaction to human rights violations in Zimbabwe, students at universities from which Mugabe has honorary doctorates have sought to get the degrees revoked. So far, the University of Edinburgh has stripped Mugabe of his honorary degree^[81] after years of campaigning from their student union. The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA provides services, representation and welfare Support to Matriculated students of In addition, the student body at Michigan State University (ASMSU) unanimously passed a resolution calling for this. Michigan State University ( MSU) is a co-educational public Research university in East Lansing, Michigan USA. Michigan State University ( MSU) is a co-educational public Research university in East Lansing, Michigan USA. The issue is now being considered by the university^[82].

Mugabe's office forbade the screening of the 2005 movie The Interpreter, claiming that it was propaganda by the CIA and fearing that it could incite hostility towards him. The Interpreter is a 2005 drama / Thriller film starring Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, and Catherine Keener. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all ^[83] In 2007, Parade magazine ranked Mugabe the 7th worst dictator in the world. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[84]

An official from Chatham House suggested that Mugabe was unlikely to leave Zimbabwe, but that if he were to leave, he might go to Malaysia, where some believe that he has "stashed much of his wealth. Chatham House, formally known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a Non-profit, Non-governmental organization based in London For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and " ^[85].

In response to Mugabe's critics, former Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda was quoted blaming not Mugabe for Zimbabwe's troubles, but successive British governments. The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. Kenneth David Kaunda, commonly known as KK (born April 28, 1924) served as the first President of Zambia, from 1964 to 1991 ^[86] He wrote in June 2007 that "leaders in the West say Robert Mugabe is a demon, that he has destroyed Zimbabwe and he must be got rid of – but this demonising is made by people who may not understand what Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his fellow freedom fighters went through. "^[2] Similarly, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, responded to his critics by saying that Zimbabwe's problems are the legacy of colonialism. Senegal (le Sénégal officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country south of the Sénégal River in western Africa. Abdoulaye Wade (born May 29 1926 is the third and current President of Senegal, in office since 2000 See Colony and Colonization for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism ^[87]

Mugabe's supporters characterize him as a true Pan-Africanist and a dedicated anti-imperialist who stands strong against forces of imperialism in Africa. According to Mugabe's supporters, the Western media are not objectively reporting on Zimbabwe, but are peddling falsehoods. Mugabe's supporters accuse certain western governments of trying to eradicate pan-Africanism in order to deny real independence to African countries by imposing client regimes. Pan-Africanism is a Sociopolitical World view, and Philosophy, as well as a movement which seeks to unify both Native Africans and those of ^[88]

Bans on travel in Europe and the U. S.

After observers from the European Union were barred from examining Zimbabwe's 2002 elections, the EU imposed a ban on Mugabe and 94 members of his government. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The United States instituted a similar ban. The EU's ban has a few loopholes, resulting in Mugabe taking a few trips into Europe despite the ban. Mugabe is allowed to travel to UN events within European and American borders. ^[89]

On April 8, 2005, Mugabe attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II, a move which could be seen as defiance of a European Union travel ban that does not, however, apply to Vatican City. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was held on April 8 2005, six days after his death on April 2. Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano is a Landlocked sovereign City-state whose territory He was granted a transit visa by the Italian authorities, as they are obliged to under the Concordat. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Lateran Treaty is one of the Lateran Pacts of 1929 or Lateran Accords, three agreements made in 1929 between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy However, the Catholic hierarchy in Zimbabwe have been very vocal against his rule and the senior Catholic cleric, Archbishop Pius Ncube is a major critic, even calling for Western governments to help in his overthrow. In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead His Grace the Most Reverend Dr Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube (born December 31, 1946) served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo ^[90][89] Mugabe surprised Prince Charles by shaking his hand during the service. Afterwards, the Prince's office released a statement saying, "The Prince of Wales was caught by surprise and not in a position to avoid shaking Mr Mugabe’s hand. The Prince finds the current Zimbabwean regime abhorrent. He has supported the Zimbabwe Defence and Aid Fund which works with those being oppressed by the regime. The Prince also recently met Pius Ncube, the Archbishop of Bulawayo, an outspoken critic of the government. His Grace the Most Reverend Dr Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube (born December 31, 1946) served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo "^[91]

Prior to the ban, one of Mugabe's favourite pastimes was to travel to London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ^[14]

Robert Mugabe and senior members of the Harare government are not allowed to travel to the United States because it is the position of the US government that he has worked to undermine democracy in Zimbabwe and has restricted freedom of the press. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[92] Despite strained political relations, the United States remains a leading provider of humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe, providing roughly $400 million in humanitarian assistance from 2002-2007, mostly food aid. ^[93]

Appearance at the FAO conference, June 2008

Because United Nations events are exempt from the travel bans, Mugabe attended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) summit in Rome. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security African leaders threatened to boycott the event if Mugabe were blacklisted; when he was not, Great Britain refused to send a representative. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands British and Australian officials denounced the presence of Mugabe. Mugabe, in turn, compared British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Italian fascist Benito Mussolini. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to [5][6]

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 recurring rumours of failing health have focused more attention on possible successors within his party as well as the opposition. The March 11, 2007 crackdown against a religious gathering sponsored by the opposition attracted scrutiny. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[94]

In June 2005, a report that Mugabe had entered a hospital for tests on his heart fueled rumours that he had died of a heart attack;^[95] these reports were dismissed by a Mugabe spokesman. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply 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. Operation Murambatsvina ( English: Operation Drive Out Trash or Operation Drive Out Rubbish) also officially known as Operation Restore Order Opponents called this an attempt to disperse urban centres 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. Jonathan Nathaniel Moyo (born 12 January 1957) is a political figure in Zimbabwe.

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. Joice Mujuru (born April 15, 1955 as Joice Mugari is a Zimbabwean politician currently serving as one of two Vice-Presidents of Zimbabwe along with The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe Joseph Msika (born December 6 1923) has served as Vice President of Zimbabwe since 23 December 1999. Joyce Mujuru's candidacy for the presidency is strengthened by the backing of her husband, Solomon Mujuru, who is the former head of the Zimbabwean army. Solomon Mujuru, also known as Rex Nhongo (born May 1, 1949) led Robert Mugabe 's guerrilla forces during the independence war

In October 2006, a report prepared by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Economic Development acknowledged the lack of coordination among critical government departments in Zimbabwe and the overall lack of commitment to end the crisis. The report implied that the infighting in Zanu-PF over Mugabe's successor was also hurting policy formulation and consistency in implementation. ^[96]

In late 2006, a plan was presented to postpone the next presidential election until 2010, at the same time as the next parliamentary election, thereby extending Mugabe's term by two years. The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on March 29, 2008. It was said that holding the two elections together would be a cost-saving measure. ^[97] However, this plan was not approved and there were reportedly objections from some in ZANU-PF to the idea. In March 2007 Mugabe said that he thought the feeling was in favour of holding the two elections together in 2008 instead of 2010. He also said that he would be willing to run for re-election again if the party wanted him to run. ^[98] Other leaders in Southern Africa were rumoured to be less warm on the idea of extending his term to 2010; recently, at the independence celebrations in Ghana, South African President Thabo Mbeki was rumoured to have met with Mugabe in private and told him that "he was determined that South Africa's hosting of the Football World Cup in 2010 should not be disrupted by controversial presidential elections in Zimbabwe. "^[99]

On March 30, 2007, it was announced that the ZANU-PF central committee had chosen Mugabe as the party's candidate for another term in 2008, that presidential terms would be shortened to five years, and that the parliamentary election would also be held in 2008. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[100] Mugabe was chosen by acclamation as the party's presidential candidate for 2008 by ZANU-PF delegates at a party conference on December 13, 2007. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[101]

Personal life

His first wife, the former Sally Hayfron, died in 1992 from a chronic kidney ailment. Sarah Francesca (Hayfron Mugabe ( 6 June, 1931 - 27 January, 1992) a ^[102] Their only son, Nhamodzenyika, born 27 September 1963, died on December 26, 1966 from cerebral malaria in Ghana where Sally was working at the time, while Mugabe was in prison. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Sally Mugabe was a trained teacher who asserted her position as an independent political activist and campaigner^[103] who was seen as Mugabe's closest friend and adviser, and some critics suggest that Mugabe began to misrule Zimbabwe after her death. ^[14]

Mugabe married his former secretary, Grace Marufu, 40 years his junior and with whom he already had two children,^[104] on August 17, 1996. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Mugabe and Marufu were married in a Roman Catholic wedding Mass at Kutama College, a Catholic mission school he previously attended. Kutama College (officially St Francis Xavier College) is an all-boys High school located near the town of Norton in the Zvimba area 80 kilometres Nelson Mandela was among the guests. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (xolíɬaɬa mandéːla born 18 July 1918 is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative A spokesman for Catholic Archbishop Patrick Chakaipa, who presided over the ceremony, said the diocese saw "no impediment" to the nuptials. His wife, Grace, is known sarcastically as "Gucci Grace" or "The First Shopper" in reference to her numerous, lavish European shopping sprees. The House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci, is an Italian iconic fashion and Leather goods label ^[105][106]

The Mugabes have three children: Bona, Robert Peter Jr. (although Robert Mugabe's middle name is Gabriel) and Bellarmine Chatunga. As First Lady, Grace has been the subject of much criticism for her lifestyle. When she was included in the 2002 EU travel sanctions on her husband, one EU parliamentarian was quoted as saying that the ban "will stop Grace Mugabe going on her shopping trips in the face of catastrophic poverty blighting the people of Zimbabwe. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in "^[107] The Daily Telegraph called her "notorious at home for her profligacy" in a 2003 coverage of a trip to Paris. ^[108] The Mugabes' children are not included in the EU travel sanctions.

Awards and honours

In 1994 Mugabe was bestowed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath by Queen Elizabeth II. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II This entitles him to use the postnominal letters KCB, but not to use the title "Sir. " In the United Kingdom, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee called for the removal of this honour in 2003, but no action has yet been taken. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords ^[109]

He also holds several honorary degrees and doctorates from various international universities, though in June 2007, he became the first international figure ever to be stripped of an honorary degree by a British university, when the University of Edinburgh withdrew the degree awarded to him in 1984. An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa ( Latin: 'for the sake of the honour' is an Academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. ^[110][111]

Further reading

• Chan, Stephen. Robert Mugabe: A life of power and violence, 2003. IB Taurus, London. ISBN 9781860648731.
• East, R. and Thomas, Richard J. Profiles of People in Power: The World ́s Government Leaders, 2003 ISBN 185743126X.
• Holland, Heidi. Dinner with Mugabe, 2008. Penguin, South Africa. ISBN 9780143025573.
• Meredith, Martin : Mugabe: Power and Plunder in Zimbabwe, 2003. Oxford [rev. updated ed. ] ISBN 1586482130 (American ed. : Our votes, our guns
• Nolan, Cathal J. Notable U. S. Ambassadors Since 1775: A Biographical Dictionary, 1997 ISBN 0313291950
• The Times (SA) Online. 'The angry little boy who showed them all'. Published: 01 Mar 2008.
• Who's Who : African Nationalist Leaders in Rhodesia by Robert Cary and Diana Mitchell, 1977,1980,1994 Reprinted by Mardon Printers (PTY) Ltd, Harare.
• Mwakikagile, Godfrey. Nyerere and Africa: End of an Era, 2006, Chapter Eight: "The Rhodesian Crisis: Tanzania's Role. " New Africa Press, South Africa. ISBN 9780980253412.

References

External links

• "Mugging Mugabe" (a commentary in defence of Mugabe)
• "The truth about Mugabe" (an anti-Mugabe commentary)
• "Zimbabwe election – a defeat for imperialism"
• "Zimbabwe's silent selective starvation"
• "Robert Mugabe's War to Crush Press Freedom in Zimbabwe"
• Reporters Without Borders profile on Mugabe
• Freedom House report on Zimbabwe
• IFEX – Media Coverage Favours Mugabe
• "Robert Mugabe at UMass" from the WGBH series, Ten O'clock News
• Indict Zimbabwe's demagogue before the International Criminal Court
• "Zimbabwe and the Politics of Torture"
• Human Rights Watch on Zimbabwe
• “Comrade Mugabe is our leader”,War Vets million man march for Mugabe Zimbabwe Metro

Political offices
Preceded by Abel Muzorewa as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia	Prime Minister of Zimbabwe 1980 – 1987	Title abolished
Preceded by Zail Singh	Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement 1986 – 1989	Succeeded by Janez Drnovšek
Preceded by Canaan Banana	President of Zimbabwe 1987 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by Paul Biya Cameroon	Chairperson of the African Union 1997 – 1998	Succeeded by Blaise Compaoré Burkina Faso
Party political offices
Preceded by Herbert Chitepo	Leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union 1975 – 1987	Merged with ZAPU
New political party ZANU/ZAPU merger	Leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front 1987 – present	Incumbent

Persondata
NAME	Mugabe, Robert Gabriel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	2nd President and former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
DATE OF BIRTH	21 February 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH	Kutama Mission, Harare
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Observer is a British Newspaper published on Sundays In about the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa (born on 4 April 1925) served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from the Internal Settlement to the Lancaster The Government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia took office on June 1, 1979 under the internal settlement negotiated between the government of Rhodesia and The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is the Head of government in Zimbabwe.  Giani Zail Singh (ਜ਼ੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ May 5 1916 – December 25 1994) was an Indian politician and member of the The Non-Aligned Movement ( NAM) is an International organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc Janez Drnovšek (janɛz dr̩nɒuʃɛk ( May 17 1950 &ndash February 23 2008) was a Slovenian liberal Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 10 November 2003 served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 18 April 1980 until 31 December 1987 This page contains a list of presidents of Zimbabwe. Canaan Banana was a "figurehead" president but Mugabe has been an executive Paul Biya (born 13 February 1933) has been the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. The Chairperson of the African Union is chosen by the Assembly of the African Union, which consists of the heads of state of member countries to serve a one-year Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951) has been the President of Burkina Faso since 1987 Burkina Faso (bɚˌkiːnəˈfɑːsoʊ burr-KEE-na FAH-soh) also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a Landlocked nation in West Africa Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo ( 15 June, 1923 &ndash 18 March, 1975) led the Zimbabwe African National Union until the Central The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe.

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