Out of Africa

Even though it’s more or less certain that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won Zimbabwe’s general elections, the results are of course under dispute. No results have been officially released, so there’s no way to know for sure. But it’s pretty much agreed that Robert Mugabe is among the worst leaders in the world. The country is in political limbo and in attempt to understand the situation better I found an exclusive story in “The Independent” about Mugabe, suggesting that his relationship with his wife inspired him to be the monster he is today.

“New documents released under the Freedom of Information Act at the National Archives in London reveal for the first time the strength of the bond between the Rhodesian freedom-fighter and his young Ghanaian bride, as Mugabe emerged as a political force in Africa during the 1960s. … Mugabe watchers will now surely wonder whether this could have been the moment that finally set the Zimbabwean rebel against his former colonial rulers.”

I’m not sure when the Freedom of Information Act was filed, but I do find it rather interested that the British are interested in painting Mugabe as a sympathetic figure as he may be finally leaving office.

In Related News:

Here’s an African perspective on the elections and Mugabe as a leader. And one about how new leadership can give Zimbabwe the turn around it needs.