The
death of Robert Mugabe marks the end of an era in African history. He’s,
perhaps, the last of his kind on this wealthy but poorly governed continent.
Most of his contemporaries were long gone, and some, even forgotten. However,
Mugabe will be remembered forever. His name and that of his country, Zimbabwe,
are somewhat synonymous.
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| Robert Mugabe (1924-2019) |
I am convinced that the deceased meant well for his
country and Africa at large. Doubtless, he overstayed his welcome, and, of
course, he was brutal in his handling of opposition and the white farmers. All
could be forgiven, though. Many African leaders of his generation were no less
harsh and autocratic. He, nonetheless, stood out for his dogged fight against
the West and its imperialist ideologies and policies. He also lasted in
power way longer than the others.
Mugabe, Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya),
Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Nelson Mandela (South Africa), among other
post-independence African leaders, stood against the colonial brutes. Besides
Nkrumah and Nyerere, the others used force to liberate their people. Save
Mandela, they all tried to ban opposition and declared their countries as
one-party states. And other similarities, including their imprisonment, of
course. Don’t blame Pa Mugabe alone.
Zimbabwe was once highly productive and prosperous.
Several sanctions pulled the country’s economy down. The ageing Mugabe then
lost control, and people, particularly his authoritative wife, Grace, exploited
the situation. But why, now, does the impoverished nation still not fare well
years after Mugabe’s ouster?
As a Nigerian and a passionate student of
African Studies, I mourn the death of Mugabe. I wish we had a unifying, sturdy
and educated leader like him in Nigeria who, however, was/is more democratic
than he is. We don’t. All our founding fathers were ethnic and sectional. We all
wish them well in the world beyond, though. Adieu!
RIP
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