The Rise and Fall of Robert Mugabe: When a Leader Forces Himself To Win Elections

Robert Mugabe

In any democratic system, the electoral process is a crucial aspect of governance. Leaders who aspire to hold public office often put forth their vision, policies, and values to persuade voters to elect them. However, some leaders may resort to unethical means to win elections, even if it means forcing their way into power. One such leader who gained notoriety for forcing himself to win elections is Robert Mugabe, the former President of Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe was born in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1924. After obtaining a degree from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, Mugabe became a teacher and later joined the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in 1960. ZANU was a political party that fought for the independence of Zimbabwe from British colonial rule.

Mugabe's political career started to take shape in the 1970s when he became the leader of ZANU. His party was involved in the guerrilla warfare against the white minority government of Rhodesia. In 1980, Mugabe won the first democratic elections held in Zimbabwe, and he became the Prime Minister of the newly independent country.

During his first decade in power, Mugabe implemented policies that improved education and healthcare in Zimbabwe. However, his government became increasingly authoritarian, and he began to suppress opposition parties and dissenting voices. Mugabe's government was accused of rigging elections, intimidating opposition supporters, and using violence against opponents.

Mugabe's most brazen attempt to force himself into power was in the 2008 presidential elections. The opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, won the first round of the election. However, Mugabe refused to accept the results and launched a campaign of violence against MDC supporters.

The violence included beating, torture, and murder of MDC supporters, and Mugabe's government arrested and imprisoned opposition officials. Mugabe's government also blocked international observers and journalists from monitoring the election process. The pressure from the international community eventually forced Mugabe to negotiate a power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai, but Mugabe remained the President of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe's authoritarian rule eventually led to economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread poverty in Zimbabwe. In 2017, Mugabe was ousted in a military coup, and he resigned as the President of Zimbabwe after 37 years in power.

In conclusion, Mugabe's rise to power and his attempts to remain in power by force highlight the dangers of leaders who use unethical means to win elections. Mugabe's actions led to the suffering of millions of Zimbabweans and tarnished the reputation of the country. It is essential for democratic societies to uphold the principles of free and fair elections, and leaders who resort to violence and intimidation should be held accountable for their actions.