The president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has ruled the country with an iron fist for nearly 40 years. However, at the age of 93, people are beginning to question his efficiency and legitimacy as a leader.
On 14 November, the Zimbabwean Defence Forces took matters into their own hands and started to seize areas of the capital city Harare. They then proceeded to raid homes of many politicians as they are, in the force’s own words, ‘criminals’ responsible for Zimbabwe’s dire socio-economic problems.
Eventually, it was revealed that president Mugabe was under house arrest. After several days of uncertainty, Mugabe shockingly resigned as president on the 22nd of November, and president-designate Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed power. But Zimbabwe’s problems are far from over – For so many years, Zimbabweans have felt shame for their country as their economy crashed and poverty levels soared. Will this political upheaval give them the relief and change they deserve?
Gabrielle Smith (Y12)