Sat 07 September 2019:
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Robert Mugabe’s “role in securing the independence of Zimbabwe and the fight against apartheid are key parts of his legacy.”
According to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the secretary-general will be sending a letter “offering condolences to the government and people of Zimbabwe” following Mugabe’s death earlier Friday.
Dujarric also noted Mugabe’s “notable contributions” when chairing organizations such as the former Organization of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community.
He also said Mugabe was a regular participant in meetings and conferences at U.N. headquarters in New York.
Dujarric said “the United Nations remains strongly committed to supporting Zimbabwe in its efforts to promote inclusive stability, sustainable development, democratic governance and human rights.”
Mugabe’s final hours
Zimbabwe’s presidential spokesman provided details about former leader Robert Mugabe’s final hours and death at a Singapore hospital.
George Charamba says Mugabe was complaining of chest pains when he was readmitted to the hospital. Mugabe’s personal doctor was with him when he died at 4:45 a.m. on Friday.
Charamba told The Associated Press: “When the doctors realized the gravity of Mugabe’s condition, they requested that his personal doctor be present, and he was flown to Singapore.”
Human Rights
Amnesty International says that Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for almost four decades, left behind “an indelible stain on his country’s human rights record.”
Mugabe died on Friday at the age of 95, two years after being forced to give up power.
The human rights group said Mugabe’s early years as a leader saw “notable achievements” through his heavy investment in health care and education. But the group said he later eroded his own track record, citing the harassment and killings of political opponents under his leadership.
Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa, said: “While casting himself as the saviour of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe inflicted lasting damage upon its people and its reputation.”
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