Zimbabwe’s founding president Robert Mugabe died in the early hours of Friday.
He ruled the country for close to four decades and reaction to his passing has been diverse.
From being considered an icon of liberation in his early years to a ruthless dictator towards the tail end of his reign, sharp division has followed his every step.
Many have their own views on a man who became known simply as Uncle Bob.
On Friday, there was an outpouring of reaction from African leaders.
Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnagagwa was the first to take to twitter to break the news of Mugabe’s passing. In his message he remembered a man who was a long time friend as an African liberation hero.
Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace (2/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta also had a condolence message for the fallen leader, as a man not afraid to take on issues thought to be taboo.
“Indeed, 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,” president Kenyatta said.
"On behalf of the Government and the People of Kenya and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Government and the People of Zimbabwe following the death of former President Robert Mugabe." ~ H.E. Uhuru Kenyattahttps://t.co/yuooPwrxZI
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) September 6, 2019
President Kenyatta at the same time directed that his country’s flag would fly at half-mast at State House and all public buildings as a mark of respect to the late Mugabe.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of this African hero and friend of our country, by the authority vested in me as President of the Republic of Kenya, I hereby ORDER and DIRECT;- that the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at the State House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the Republic of Kenya from dawn on Saturday the 7th September, 2019 until sunset, on Monday the 9th September, 2019,” he said in a presidential directive on Friday.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli termed the late Mugabe as a brave leader.
Nimepokea kwa masikitiko makubwa taarifa za kifo cha Rais Mstaafu na Baba wa Taifa la Zimbabwe Mzee Robert Mugabe. Afrika imepoteza mmoja wa viongozi Jasiri, Shupavu, Mwanamajumui wa Afrika na aliyekataa ukoloni kwa vitendo. Mungu aiweke roho yake mahali pema peponi, Amina.
— Dr John Magufuli (@MagufuliJP) September 6, 2019
African Union chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat remembers him as one of the pioneer pan-Africanists who pushed for African countries to be self-dependent.
“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 +continental integration,” he 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 +continental integration.
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) September 6, 2019
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his condolence message remembered the late Mugabe as “a towering leader of the struggle for independence and outstanding leader on the African continent.”
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 6, 2019
