African presidents have joined the people of Zimbabwe in mourning the late leader Robert Mugabe who died at a hospital in Singapore early Friday morning.
Mugabe who died aged 95 was Zimbabwe’s first leader who took over from the Rhodesian colonial regime in 1980 before he was deposed by his long time ally President Emmerson Mnangagwa through a military inspired transition in November 2017.
First to issue a statement was Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who said Mugabe will be remembered as a man of courage who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in.
“On behalf of the Government and the People of the Republic of Kenya and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Government and the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe following the death of former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
“Indeed, we will remember former President Mugabe as a man of courage who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in even when it was not popular,” said Kenyatta.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said Mugabe played a major role in advancing regional solidarity, integration and development through Zimbabwe’s participation in the Southern African Development Community.
“South Africans join the people and government of Zimbabwe in mourning the passing of a liberation fighter and champion of Africa’s cause against colonialism.
“Under President Mugabe’s leadership, Zimbabwe’s sustained and valiant struggle against colonialism inspired our own struggle against apartheid and built in us the hope that one day South Africa too would be free,” said Ramaphosa.
President of Tanzania, John Magufuli also posted his condolences on Twitter describing Mugabe as one of brave leaders in Africa who resisted colonialism.
“Nimepokea kwa masikitiko makubwa taarifa za kifo cha Rais Mstaafu na Baba wa Taifa la Zimbabwe Mzee Robert Mugabe. Afrika imepoteza mmoja wa viongozi Jasiri, Shupavu, Mwanamajumui wa Afrika na aliyekataa ukoloni kwa vitendo. Mungu aiweke roho yake mahali pema peponi, Amina. (I have received with deep sadness the news of the death of Retired President and Father of Zimbabwe’s Elder Robert Mugabe. Africa has lost one of the brave leaders, Sufavu, an African statesman and who has resisted colonialism in action. May God place his spirit in a beautiful place in paradise, Amen),” said Magufuli.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was attending the World Economic Forum for Africa in Cape Town to attend to Mugabe’s burial arrangements.
