Speaking of the situation in the country, a writer, Dingani Masuku, said: “Since I was born about 40 years ago in my homeland Zimbabwe, the only leader I have known is Robert Mugabe. Growing up in the marginalised region of Matabeleland in southern Zimbabwe, I became politically aware at the age of five due to the atrocities perpetrated against residents of the region by the Mugabe government.
“The name Mugabe, who gained infamy for making life a hell for my people in the region, was imprinted in my mind since boyhood. This is, or should I say was, my president. A man who is blamed for killing thousands of people in the southern part of the country in the 1980s for purportedly trying to organise an uprising against his government.”
Forty years is indeed a long time in the life of an individual, particularly given the declining life expectancy rate on the African continent. African leaders must learn to put their people first at all times. They must learn that the value of a country cannot be given to any person.
Mugabe, when he took power, was the darling of his people. He fought white colonialism to a standstill and affirmed the dignity of his people. But he stayed too long in power and began to oppress the same people on whose behalf he had supposedly obtained power.
Nevertheless, the “bloodless coup” in Zimbabwe must remain bloodless. The military must resist the temptation to kill and plunge the country into further chaos. Peace should be restored as soon as possible.
Oluwafunke Adebayo
Ibadan, Oyo State.
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