Robert Mugabe sworn in as president of Zimbabwe

By Ben Nakomo and Bright Lokenge

Africa's champion of democracy and liberation hero, Zimbabwe's ruler Robert Gabriel Mugabe has been sworn in as president on Sunday, June 29, 2008. He was declared the winner in Zimbabwe's presidential election. The 84-year-old veteran of the fight against white minority rule has been defiant since losing to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first round of voting in March, accusing the Western countries that criticise his leadership of being responsible for Zimbabwe's woes. Mr Mugabe's once prosperous country has been ruined by sanctions and external hatred as he tampered with White interests in his country.

In the last few days Mugabe ignored pressure from outside Africa, and pressed ahead with the vote that extended his 28-year consolidation against colonial interests.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born on Feb. 21, 1924, on the Kutama Mission northwest of Harare and educated by Jesuits. He worked first as a primary school teacher, but continued to study, earning seven university degrees from Britain. Some of his degrees were earned whilst in prison. He was confered Knighthood by the Queen of England, who lavished praises on him.

Mr Mugabe known in liberal circles in the 1970s as the thinking man's guerrilla, was jailed for 10 years in 1964 for opposing white minority rule in the racist Rhodesia territory that dominated his people. He fought vehemently, and after a seven-year bush war ended in a negotiated settlement with Britain and white leader Ian Smith, Mugabe was elected as the first black prime minister. He offered forgiveness and reconciliation and was hailed in the West as the truest of all Africans. Western diplomats even asked Nelson Mandela to borrow lessons from Robert Mugabe.

He forgave Ian Smith and kept his head in tact far away from the gallows. Mr Smith received State pension and allowance until his death. Ian Smith, who was aided and abetted by Britain, America and the Apartheid regime in South Africa died a few years ago in shame in neighbouring South Africa.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe ushered unprecendented development in his country, with Zimbabwe having a literacy rate of over 90%. He expanded schooling for blacks and presided over a booming economy. After two terms as prime minister, he rewrote the constitution and won election as president in 1990. The change was possible after he crushed a five-year revolt in Matabeleland province.

International hatred and scorn accelerated following a land reform programme launched in 2000 when Mugabe seized white-owned commercial farms built on robbed African land. On tampering with white interests, the wrath of Washington and London fell on him. Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth group of mostly former British colonies after Mugabe's re-election to a third six-year term in March 2002. Mugabe withdrew from the colonial group in December 2003.

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Comments

[Usman Mbella]

Yes exactly what the western people hate about African Leaders who don't see into it that their interest are being met. This article is far more different from that posted on the bbc and cnn. No positive image was given to Mugabe weather he was even educated or not. On the other hand only the very negative comments on Mugabe are read and posted on the BBC's have your say slut. Africans we need to open our eyes very wide to see the deciet of whitmen.