The Sunday News
THE world hailed Zimbabwe’s late ex-president Cde Robert Mugabe on Friday as a liberation hero. Here is a selection of some world reactions to his death.
AU: “we mourn an iconic liberation fighter”
AU chairperson Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is also the President of Egypt, said: ‘‘It is with immense sadness that I learnt of the passing of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe. My sincere condolences to his family and the Zimbabwean people as we mourn an iconic liberation fighter, pan-Africanist in the struggle for liberation and continental integration.’’
South Africa: “he inspired South Africa’s struggle against apartheid”
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said Cde Mugabe inspired South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and instilled hope that one day South Africa too would be free.
“South Africans join the people and Government of Zimbabwe in mourning the passing of a liberation fighter and champion of Africa’s cause against colonialism. Under President Mugabe’s leadership, Zimbabwe’s sustained and valiant struggle against colonialism inspired our own struggle against apartheid and built in us the hope that one day South Africa too would be free,’’ he said.
Nigeria: ‘‘founding father’’
Mugabe “fought for the independence of the country from colonial rule, and lived most of his life in public service,” said President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, hailing him as the “founding father” of a nation.
“Mugabe’s sacrifices, especially in struggling for the political and economic emancipation of his people, will always be remembered by posterity.”
Kenya: ‘‘end of an era’’
“We will remember former President Mugabe as a man of courage who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in even when it was not popular,” said Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, who went on to declare a three-day mourning period.
Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan President from 2002 to 2013, said Mugabe’s death “marks the end of an era in Africa. It closes the chapter of Africa’s founding presidents whose commitment to the emancipation of the people of Africa remains enduringly remarkable.”
China: ‘‘outstanding leader’’
“Mugabe was an outstanding national liberation movement leader and politician of Zimbabwe,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.
“Throughout his life, he has firmly defended the sovereignty of his country, opposed foreign interference, and actively promoted China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship and co-operation.”
Russia: ‘‘great contribution’’
“Many important dates in Zimbabwe’s modern history are tied to the name of Robert Mugabe. He made a great personal contribution to the battle for your country’s independence, to the building of Zimbabwean State institutions,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Namibia: ‘‘tenacious fighter’’
In Namibia, which cast off South African rule in 1990, a decade after Zimbabwe won independence from Britain, President Hage Geingob hailed Mugabe as a warrior.
“Comrade Robert Mugabe (was) an outstanding revolutionary, a tenacious freedom fighter and dedicated pan- Africanist . . . President Mugabe made enormous sacrifices in the struggle against injustice and the liberation of southern Africa from racist subjugation and colonial oppression.”
Tanzania: ‘‘brave, determined’’
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli tweeted in Swahili: “Africa loses a brave, determined leader, an Africanist who turned the rejection of colonisation into action. May God let his soul rest in peace.”
The late Cde Mugabe with then Pesident of South Africa the late Nelson Mandela
Zambia: “place in history”
“He will be remembered for his fight for Africa’s liberation and fearlessly defending the continent. His place in the annals of Africa’s history is assured,” said Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu on Twitter.
Uganda: “a great son of Africa”
Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the continent had lost a great son of Africa
‘‘I learnt this morning about the passing of an African liberation icon and great Pan-Africanist, His Excellency Robert Mugabe. I join President Mnangagwa, the people of Zimbabwe and the entire African continent in mourning the demise of this great son of Africa. May his soul rest in peace,’’ he said.
Former Mozambique President Samora Machel widow: “he game me and my children shelter”
Graca Machel said Cde Mugabe was a brother to her. “He was like a brother to me, I knew him very well. When Samora was killed, I came running and I stayed in this country, he gave me and my children some shelter to stay. I also came here to mourn Sally Mugabe with him, he is my brother.” she said. — Online sources/ News Reporter.
