21.01.2018: On the occasion of two-months since Robert Gabriel Mugabe was "uprooted" as president. I publish an article I wrote way back.
When last did you hear an African leader resign? Not in the last 37 years – an oh, that’s as long as uncle Bob had been around. But even Zimbabweans were shocked by the turn of events and the circumstances under which Robert Gabriel Mugabe literally overthrew himself.
Citizens of the southern African country would be pardoned if they sing a rendition of Akon’s song that has the lyrics ‘whoever thought that I would see this day.’ Those at home and in sojourn least expected it even if they so wished it. But it came to pass.
But kindly indulge me as I quote from an article in the BBC Focus on Africa magazine of January – March 2008. The author Mutheseli Moyo said: “Those in the urban areas may cause a governance problem for the president, which could only be defused by the military taking over the reins of government.
“But this could be the get-out-of-jail card Mugabe needs as the army top brass are his loyalists and can be relied upon for his protection even if he is deposed by a popular uprising.” And so the then 84-year-old held on with army loyalty till 93, then they respectfully nudged him out.
Political theorists have widely put it down to the failure of the world’s oldest political leader to know when he had to step out, bow out if you want. Blame has severally been apportioned with his wife Grace repeatedly jabbed as being the main source of his ‘downfall.’
A position that feminists have slammed. The crust of their argument, why can’t Mugabe be held for his decisions but that a ‘poor’ Grace be blamed. Well, my passive response: nobody forced Grace to say she was already president in her capacity as First Lady, whatever that meant.
So in the end, as the article of a decade ago prophesied, it took the army where several elections had failed, to effect political change in Zimbabwe. The man Mugabe fired as deputy in less than a month was sitting in his seat. He, Mugabe, had been handed a backseat.
The army stepped in after warning Mugabe to tread cautiously with his politics. Mugabe won’t respond but top allies will dare the army and fire salvos. Less than 24 hours later. Takeover targeted at criminals around Mugabe, the old man and family are safe.
For the first time in 37 years, the people that held him had not dropped him but had chosen to undress him politically. Then the population weighed in with massive protests. The army gave their blessings and the political establishment also opted to pull off his clothes.
An impeachment loomed. Mugabe could have the ignominy of being a president who lost power via legislative push out. Under the circumstances and after a little over a week holding out on a negotiated exit, he finally signed a resignation letter.
The political dynamics of every country is different as is the political trajectory of any leader. There are those that see Mugabe as a liberator. To others, he is an oppressor. Like any man, his good sides and bad sides are there to be seen.
The old man simply failed for whatever reason to leave in a more dignified manner especially at a time his health was failing him. All the signs looked like only a burial will spell his end. But alas, he lived to see the events of November 2017.
He picked this path and sure has to walk it. He was under house arrest according to sources even though the army allowed him out for a graduation ceremony during the impasse. The last time Mugabe was sighted was in Singapore for a health check, as for ex-president Grace….
The old boy undoubtedly had a very soft landing compared to what would ordinarily have been the case in a political crisis involving an army in full force. He forced himself to be benched, a kind of benching where he cannot return to the field. Prrrrrrrrrrr!
When last did you hear an African leader resign? Not in the last 37 years – an oh, that’s as long as uncle Bob had been around. But even Zimbabweans were shocked by the turn of events and the circumstances under which Robert Gabriel Mugabe literally overthrew himself.
Citizens of the southern African country would be pardoned if they sing a rendition of Akon’s song that has the lyrics ‘whoever thought that I would see this day.’ Those at home and in sojourn least expected it even if they so wished it. But it came to pass.
But kindly indulge me as I quote from an article in the BBC Focus on Africa magazine of January – March 2008. The author Mutheseli Moyo said: “Those in the urban areas may cause a governance problem for the president, which could only be defused by the military taking over the reins of government.
“But this could be the get-out-of-jail card Mugabe needs as the army top brass are his loyalists and can be relied upon for his protection even if he is deposed by a popular uprising.” And so the then 84-year-old held on with army loyalty till 93, then they respectfully nudged him out.
Political theorists have widely put it down to the failure of the world’s oldest political leader to know when he had to step out, bow out if you want. Blame has severally been apportioned with his wife Grace repeatedly jabbed as being the main source of his ‘downfall.’
A position that feminists have slammed. The crust of their argument, why can’t Mugabe be held for his decisions but that a ‘poor’ Grace be blamed. Well, my passive response: nobody forced Grace to say she was already president in her capacity as First Lady, whatever that meant.
So in the end, as the article of a decade ago prophesied, it took the army where several elections had failed, to effect political change in Zimbabwe. The man Mugabe fired as deputy in less than a month was sitting in his seat. He, Mugabe, had been handed a backseat.
The army stepped in after warning Mugabe to tread cautiously with his politics. Mugabe won’t respond but top allies will dare the army and fire salvos. Less than 24 hours later. Takeover targeted at criminals around Mugabe, the old man and family are safe.
For the first time in 37 years, the people that held him had not dropped him but had chosen to undress him politically. Then the population weighed in with massive protests. The army gave their blessings and the political establishment also opted to pull off his clothes.
An impeachment loomed. Mugabe could have the ignominy of being a president who lost power via legislative push out. Under the circumstances and after a little over a week holding out on a negotiated exit, he finally signed a resignation letter.
The political dynamics of every country is different as is the political trajectory of any leader. There are those that see Mugabe as a liberator. To others, he is an oppressor. Like any man, his good sides and bad sides are there to be seen.
The old man simply failed for whatever reason to leave in a more dignified manner especially at a time his health was failing him. All the signs looked like only a burial will spell his end. But alas, he lived to see the events of November 2017.
He picked this path and sure has to walk it. He was under house arrest according to sources even though the army allowed him out for a graduation ceremony during the impasse. The last time Mugabe was sighted was in Singapore for a health check, as for ex-president Grace….
The old boy undoubtedly had a very soft landing compared to what would ordinarily have been the case in a political crisis involving an army in full force. He forced himself to be benched, a kind of benching where he cannot return to the field. Prrrrrrrrrrr!
Man's not hot
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