MOSCOW, Sept 6 (NNN-SPUTNIK) — Former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has passed away at the age of 95, Sputnik news agency reported President Emmerson Mnangagwa as saying on Friday.
“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe. Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa wrote on Twitter.
Mugabe served as the country’s president from 1987 to 2017. Prior to that, he had held the post of the prime minister.
Mugabe resigned in November 2017 under pressure from the military and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. His decision came soon after the parliament started an impeachment process to end his rule.
He is reported to have been under medical care in a Singapore hospital the last few months before his death.
Mnangagwa, nominated by ZANU-PF for the presidency, was sworn in as the country’s leader mere days after Mugabe’s resignation and was then re-elected in July 2018 general elections, securing 50.8 per cent of the vote.
