From South Africa to China, shy tributes to Robert Mugabe

Tough homage was paid on Friday, September 6, a few hours after the announcement of the death of Zimbabwe's former president, Robert Mugabe, a hero of independence who then led his country with an iron fist from 1980. to 2017.

The current Zimbabwean head of state, Emmerson Mnangagwa, hailed the first "an icon of liberation, a panafrican who dedicated his life to the emancipation (...) of his people". "His contribution to the history of our nation and our continent will never be forgotten, let his soul rest in peace," he added.

It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and president, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)

In the process, several ministers of the current Zimbabwean government expressed their condolences. "A black cloud has enveloped Zimbabwe and far beyond," said a former information minister under former president Jonathan Moyo.

A dark cloud has enveloped Zimbabwe and beyond. The Lord Gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord! pic.twitter.com/GGbw8c1poS

"An African icon"

"A black day," also tweeted the spokesman for the National Patriotic Front, led by former president Jealousy Mawarire. For his part, the current Deputy Minister of Information, Energy Mutodi, hailed "an African icon". "There is no doubt that you were (...) a statesman of a rare character, a revolutionary," he said.

>> Read: Zimbabwe: Death of former President Robert Mugabe, this independence hero turned despot

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to a "liberation fighter and champion of the African cause against colonialism". "South Africans join the Zimbabwe people and government in mourning the death of the liberation fighter and champion of the cause of Africa against colonialism," he said in a statement.

"A good friend of the Chinese people"

Considered one of the rare allies of the former head of state, China has hailed Robert Mugabe as an "exceptional" leader. "During his life, he has firmly defended the sovereignty of his country, opposed foreign interference and actively promoted friendship and cooperation between China and Zimbabwe and China and Africa," he said. the press the spokesman of Chinese diplomacy, Geng Shuang.

Already when he resigned in November 2017, after 37 years of unchallenged rule, China had assured that Robert Mugabe remained "a good friend of the Chinese people". In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping was one of the few heads of state to pay an official visit to the country, which Western leaders were denouncing as human rights abuses.

With AFP