Robert Mugabe

Robert Mugabe, the current President of Zimbabwe, has been the head of government since 1980.  During the 1970s guerrilla war, Mugabe was seen as a revolutionary hero, fighting white minority rule for the freedom of his people. His views against capitalism and colonialism have remained the same despite the progression of time. His strategy to forcefully seize almost all white owned commercial land, has led to the collapse of the economy. The nation currently has the highest inflation rate in the world. He has been accused of using violence to remain in office and civil rights and humanitarian organizations have accused the government of human right violations. In 2007 Parade magazine ranked Mugabe as Number 7 on the World’s Worst Dictator’s List.  Despite the accusations of corruption and criminality of his regime, many African citizens consider Mugabe as a hero in the fight for independence. 

For more information, please see:

Economist – Robert Mugabe: The man behind the fist - 29 March 2007

Parade Magazine – Who is the World’s Worst Dictator? - 11 February 2007

BBC News – Mugabe’s descent into dictatorship - 13 March 2002

BBC News – Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe strongman - 15 February 2000