Mugabe's Resignation: The End of Africa's Post-Colonal Dictatorship by Adesanya Abiodun Lincoln

The streets of Zimbabwe were overwhelmed by the shout of jubilation by its citizens consequent on the recent resignation of  Robert Gabriel Mugabe, her age long President who was in power for 37 years since it gained independence from the white colonialists. Mugabe, who chaimpioned the decolonization of Zimbabwe and thereby liberating the former Rhodesians from the white dominated government, was placed under house arrest with his wife, Grace Mugabe, after a 'peaceful coup' successfully plotted by the Army. The rationale behind this is not disconnected from the fact that Robert Mugabe had earlier sacked his vice-president,  Emmerson Mnangagwa, in order to give his wife a smooth sail into power towards the next year's election.

In the 1880's, the British arrived with Cecil Rhode's (from whose name 'Rhodesia' was coined) British South African Company. Hence, the beginning of colonisation in Zimbabwe. Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony in October 1923. Many decades later, following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence made by Ian Smith, a civil war ensued, with Joshua Nkoma's ZAPU and Robert Mugabe's ZANU using assistance from the government of Zambia and Mozambique. All these was to ensure that the Zimbabweans are freed from oppression and exploitation of the white.
Mugabe, influenced by the nationalist movements of other African states and dignified personalities such as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Awolowo, Azikwe and Bello of Nigeria, Ahmed Sekou  Toure of Guinea, Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Samora Machel of Mozambique and so on, spear headed the agitation and the eventual independence of Zimbabwe. The country, prior to its recognised independence on April 18, 1980 had been known by several names; Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

However, the euphoria of Independence was  ephemeral. Mugabe, having tested power soon found himself intoxicated with it. Truth is the golden word of the 16th President of USA, Abraham Lincoln when he said,  " Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man's character, give him power".  It was uncalled for that despite periodic elections in Zimbabwe after independence, Mugabe could still retain his incumbency. For instance, after a disputed election in 2009, he reluctantly agreed to share power with the rival Movement for Democratic Change. Also in 2013, Mugabe won another election which was described as 'rigged'. His intention to still remain in power come 2018 was greeted with great annoyance. This still did not go down well with Zimbabweans. The last straw that break the carmel's back was the sacking of his vice, Emmerson Mnangagwa which resulted in the coup on the 14th of November, 2017, led by the Army Chief,  Constantino Chiwenga.

This is a lesson to the whole world, the Africa continent and particularly, the Federal Republic of Nigeria for those who want to incessantly hold on to power. It has been said that absolute power corrupt absolutely. African politicians should go back to reflect and to learn how to leave the stage when the ovation is high. If one take a careful examination of Nigeria's politics, one will soon find out that our politicians do rotate offices admist themselves, thereby giving little or no chance for new breeds. The only difference between them and Mugabe is that while Mugabe clung to power authoritatively, Nigeria's politicians do rotate theirs in the sense that today's Chairman is tomorrow's Governor, today's Senator is tomorrow's President, today's Honourable is tomorrow's political godfather and so on.

In conclusion, it is a well known fact that whatever has a beginning must surely has an end. The socio-political challenges of Africa are enormous. It is therefore wisdom for an administration to know that it can not solve all at once. 'Do your best and leave the rest' goes the saying.

Adesanya Abiodun Lincoln

25-11-2017