Mugabe
Harare's longtime ruler
Robert Mugabe was the president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017, having led the country since independence in 1980.
Initially celebrated for ending white minority rule, his name became associated with authoritarian governance, rigged elections, and economic collapse.
The country's Mugabe-era hyperinflation made its currency worthless.
He was ousted in a coup at age 93.
Southern African republic
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotRuler with absolute power
strongman · repression · one-party · autocrat · regime · censorship · fear · intimidation
Freedom from external control
- anti-colonialOpposing imperial domination
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- RhodesiaFormer British African territory
- SmithUbiquitous English surname
nationalist · decolonization · resistance · revolutionary · self-determination
Extreme rapid price escalation
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- povertySevere lack of resources
- shortagesInsufficient quantities available
breadlines · cholera · black-market · diaspora · remittances · destitution
Abrupt seizure of power
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- GraceName or honorific
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
generals · succession · ousting · 2017 · house-arrest · tearful · transition · celebration
Sharing out again differently
- fast-trackAccelerate a process
- expropriationGovernment taking private property
- resettlementReestablishing in new place
- dispossessionDeprival of property rights
tobacco · maize · famine · compensation
Zimbabwe
Southern African republic
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
despot · strongman · repression · one-party · autocrat · regime · censorship · fear · intimidation · crackdown
independence
Freedom from external control
- anti-colonialOpposing imperial domination
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- RhodesiaFormer British African territory
Smith · nationalist · decolonization · resistance · revolutionary · self-determination
hyperinflation
Extreme rapid price escalation
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- povertySevere lack of resources
shortages · breadlines · cholera · black-market · diaspora · remittances · destitution
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- GraceName or honorific
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
impeachment · generals · succession · ousting · 2017 · house-arrest · tearful · transition · celebration
redistribution
Sharing out again differently
- fast-trackAccelerate a process
- expropriationGovernment taking private property
- resettlementReestablishing in new place
dispossession · tobacco · maize · famine · compensation
MugabeNelson Mandela
George Washington · democrat · constitutionalist · Mahatma Gandhi · Kofi Annan