Robert Mugabe

Guide Note

Robert Mugabe has been the head of the government of Zimbabwe since its independence from white-minority rule in 1980.

He has attracted criticism for alleged human rights abuses, unsuccessful land reforms and corruption. Most recently, he has drawn international condemnation for his obstruction of the 2008 Presidential Election.¹

On June 29, 2008, after a runoff election left him the only candidate still standing, Mugabe was sworn in for his sixth term as the President of Zimbabwe.²

Fast Facts

1. Born: February 21, 1924
2. Current President of Zimbabwe
3. Political Party: ZANU-PF
4. Served as head of Zimbabwe's government since 1980
5. Was an active guerrilla leader³
6. Considered by many to be a hero of independence³
7. Widely criticized for corruption and failed policies⁴

Despite criticism, Mugabe is still widely considered a hero of the wars of independence for his leadership of guerrilla groups against the government of Rhodesia.³

Critics point to the corruption, brutal suppression of political opposition, failed land reform, botched economic management and an increasingly dire human rights situation that have come to characterize his rule, particularly since 2005. He has also been criticized for his condemnation of homosexuality and involvement of the Zimbabwe armed forces in the Congolese Civil War.³

Before the election, it was feared that Robert Mugabe would prevent a free and fair process through the use of ballot stuffing, intimidation and arrests. While the election itself was largely peaceful, Mugabe has since been criticized for obstruction of the electoral process.⁵

Condemnation from Zimbabwe and around the world has focused on his stalling the release of election and recount results, arrests of opposition members, intimidation of opposition supporters with violence and general refusal to act with transparency.⁶