News Analysis |
Robert Mugabe’s 37-year ruthless rule came to an end on Tuesday after his resignation as the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe. After a week of turmoil, tremendous anticipation, and substantial political pressure from his former allies and army, Mugabe was forced to resign. His resignation came after parliament had initiated an impeachment process to evict him through legal proceedings.
Robert Mugabe’s story is an undoing of an independence hero. It has been full of humiliation, shame, and destruction. He had single-handedly governed this nation with absolute control. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe had endured many crises due to which thousands of civilians died and he forced his rivals to shun politics or defused their power through forceful antics.
Mugabe’s Ruthless rule
Mugabe’s long rule was the embodiment of oppression, unjustified killings, kidnappings, unfair elections and a sham democracy. Despite being under tremendous pressure from domestic and international stakeholders, Mugabe remained defiant to rule. Despite losing the referendum in 2000, he ordered the invasion of the white-owned attacks on opposition supporters.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi seems to serves as a powerless leader having no authority to remove the indicted Finance Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar.
In 2008, though, he stood second in the first round of elections, but assaults on Morgan Tsvangirai supporters led him to pull out of the election race. Finally, in 2017, in an attempt to pave way for his wife Grace, he intervened and sacked the Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa which led to his forced resignation. In the end, he failed to realise that he had passed his best time and lost both the support of his party and the country.
Road to Resignation
The drama unfolded when Army vehicles were witnessed heading towards Zimbabwe’s capital Harare. Rumors of the coup were on the air. Military tanks were seen marching on the streets of the capital. Finally, the army appeared on TV and narrated that it was not the military takeover of the struggling country.
Read more: Zimbabwe military coup: Criminals targeted, not Mugabe
Initially, there were misconceptions and widespread speculations about the whereabouts of the President. However, it was confirmed by the neighbouring president of South Africa Zuma that he is under house arrest. Amid the rumours of stepping down, people in the country were initially, curious and sceptical about the future but they hoped to celebrate the departure of the crony who ruled with the iron fist for most of their lives.
Though, Mugabe appeared in the graduation ceremony, his power had eluded him. People felt a bit pessimistic after seeing him and soon the freedom which they had always dreamed of was at their doorsteps.
Robert Mugabe’s 37-year ruthless rule came to an end on Tuesday after his resignation as the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The huge crowd protested against Mugabe. There were scenes of sheer jubilations across the country. He did appear on TV but despite anticipations, failed to resign, which led to the beginning of his impeachment proceedings. Finally, he offered his resignation with immediate effect. It is termed as a second independence for the country as huge crowds gathered on streets to celebrate the departure of the 93-year old president. Zimbabweans were ecstatic after finally having seen the departure of tyrant Robert Mugabe.
Nawaz: A Pakistani Mugabe
The army was instrumental in his downfall eventually. The events of Zimbabwe resemble the situation surrounding the egoistic rule of Nawaz. Though Nawaz did not rule continuously for 30 plus years, his party ruled for considerable periods of time in Punjab on the stretch. The way Mugabe was a one-man show, Nawaz has been in Pakistan.
He declared in Abbottabad that ‘he is an ideology’. Despite disqualification from the highest public office and ongoing corruption cases in the Accountability court, Nawaz continues to meddle in the government affairs. Despite, not leading the country, he remains a de facto leader of the country.
Mugabe’s long rule was the embodiment of oppression, unjustified killings, kidnappings, unfair elections and a sham democracy.
Mugabe’s long rule was the embodiment of oppression, unjustified killings, kidnappings, unfair elections and a sham democracy. Failing to dilute the effect of Panama judgment, Nawaz is unable to defuse the relentless pressure after failing to club the three-references, and the possible inclusion of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz on the ECL (Exit Control List) have further escalated the problems for Nawaz.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif: hungry for power at all cost
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi seems to serves as a powerless leader having no authority to remove the indicted Finance Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar.
Nawaz apparently surrounded himself with cronies like Ishaq Dar who inflicted massive damage to this resourceful country. On 14th November the Accountability Court had issued the non-bailable warrants against the incumbent FM Dar. His allegedly deliberate disappearance has halted the court proceedings.
Despite disqualification from the highest public office and ongoing corruption cases in the Accountability court, Nawaz continues to meddle in the government affairs.
The prosecution has made relentless efforts to expose the allegedly illegal wealth of House of the Sharif’s, and its aides have now apparently reached a climax. Having been caught ill prepared in this unfamiliar territory, it has become difficult to control the damage to the Sharif family.
The ongoing war of words between the ruling Nawaz and the institutions like the National Accountability Bureau and the Accountability Court has entered a decisive phase. Whether Nawaz will remain shamefully defiant like Mugabe or decide to be honorable still remains to be seen.