Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is reportedly dead. Several media houses have reported the demise a few minutes ago of the 95-year-old former leader of Zimbabwe who has been battling ill health for several years.
Mugabe, who was forced to step down from the Zimbabwe presidency in 2017 had ruled that country since 1987. He was one of the leaders of a protracted struggle for independence for Zimbabwe from Great Britain.
A Zimbabwean news outlet ZimLivesays Mugabe's successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa told a Cabinet meeting two weeks ago that after battling ill health for several months, the former president's doctors had discontinued treatment.
This information has been further confirmed by several international media outletsalso following the story.
Mugabe will be remembered for his part in the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence. He also attempted a land redistribution program that would see more native Africans assume control of chunks of Zimbabwe land that had been appropriated by settler white communities during that country’s colonial period.
The policy was widely blamed for leading to the collapse of Zimbabwe’s formerly vibrant economy. Mugabe blamed the country’s economic woes on Great Britain which strongly condemned his later economic policies and leadership.
Mugabe considered himself a Pan Africanist and supported the struggle for independence in many African countries, notably the Republic of South Africa.
We will update you as more information comes in.