Know the reasons behind the downfall of Robert Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe on Tuesday,  swept from power as his 37-year reign of brutality and autocratic control crumbled within days of a military takeover. He ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 and once proclaimed that “only God will remove me,” resigned as president on Tuesday shortly after lawmakers began impeachment proceedings against him.
Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe on Tuesday,  swept from power as his 37-year reign of brutality and autocratic control crumbled within days of a military takeover. He ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 and once proclaimed that “only
Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe on Tuesday,  swept from power as his 37-year reign of brutality and autocratic control crumbled within days of a military takeover. He ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 and once proclaimed that “only
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The Economic condition:  Under his time, the south African nation - once said to have been in the breadbasket of Africa due to its advantageous natural resources - is now known for high inflation, poverty and repression of minorities. Zimbabwe was in the spotlight for the period of hyperinflation between 2007 and 2009, when the country's currency was spiralling out of control and when normal Zimbabweans would need billions of Zimbabwean dollars to buy a loaf of bread. (Photo | AP)
The Economic condition: Under his time, the south African nation - once said to have been in the breadbasket of Africa due to its advantageous natural resources - is now known for high inflation, poverty and repression of minorities. Zimbabwe was in the spotlight for the period of hyperinflation between 2007 and 2009, when the country's currency was spiralling out of control and when normal Zimbabweans would need billions of Zimbabwean dollars to buy a loaf of bread. (Photo | AP)
Mugabe's lust for power: From the moment he took office, Mr. Mugabe worked assiduously and sometimes bloodily to cement his rise to power. For 37 years he is the only president Zimbabwe has ever seen. Nearly four decades, Mr. Mugabe ruled through a heavy mix of repression of his opponents and rewards for his allies. He oversaw the massacre of thousands of civilians in the 1980s and outmaneuvered rivals in his party and in the opposition. Even in his 90s and weakened by age, he kept potential successors at bay. (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
Mugabe's lust for power: From the moment he took office, Mr. Mugabe worked assiduously and sometimes bloodily to cement his rise to power. For 37 years he is the only president Zimbabwe has ever seen. Nearly four decades, Mr. Mugabe ruled through a heavy mix of repression of his opponents and rewards for his allies. He oversaw the massacre of thousands of civilians in the 1980s and outmaneuvered rivals in his party and in the opposition. Even in his 90s and weakened by age, he kept potential successors at bay. (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
Mugabe's support for his wife Grace Mugabe to be the next president: Mugabe married Grace, now 52, in 1996, after divorcing their respective partners. Despite being a newcomer to politics who had no role in the nation’s liberation war, she made clear that she wanted to be president and ridiculed politicians who had been waiting decades to succeed her husband. (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
Mugabe's support for his wife Grace Mugabe to be the next president: Mugabe married Grace, now 52, in 1996, after divorcing their respective partners. Despite being a newcomer to politics who had no role in the nation’s liberation war, she made clear that she wanted to be president and ridiculed politicians who had been waiting decades to succeed her husband. (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
As Mr. Mugabe’s health declined and his wife grew increasingly powerful, the dividing line in Zimbabwean politics was soon drawn between the so-called Generation 40 of younger people surrounding Grace Mugabe and the older Zimbabweans who fought in the liberation struggle and have amassed the spoils of power. (Photo | AP)
As Mr. Mugabe’s health declined and his wife grew increasingly powerful, the dividing line in Zimbabwean politics was soon drawn between the so-called Generation 40 of younger people surrounding Grace Mugabe and the older Zimbabweans who fought in the liberation struggle and have amassed the spoils of power. (Photo | AP)
The lavish and luxurious lifestyle of the Mugabes: Hungry Zimbabweans were enraged as their country faced hyperinflation, corruption and violence under Mugabe’s disastrous rule. In 2015, Mugabe threw himself a £648,000 91st birthday party, at which his 20,000 guests were fed a young elephant, two buffaloes, two sables and five impalas. Zimbabwe’s business, political and military elites are known for the farms, villas, cars and bank accounts they have accumulated since independence, in marked contrast to ordinary Zimbabweans who have fled the country or lived in perilous economic times, facing the unemployment and hyperinflation that made many dependent on remittances from family members in exile. (Photo | AP)
The lavish and luxurious lifestyle of the Mugabes: Hungry Zimbabweans were enraged as their country faced hyperinflation, corruption and violence under Mugabe’s disastrous rule. In 2015, Mugabe threw himself a £648,000 91st birthday party, at which his 20,000 guests were fed a young elephant, two buffaloes, two sables and five impalas. Zimbabwe’s business, political and military elites are known for the farms, villas, cars and bank accounts they have accumulated since independence, in marked contrast to ordinary Zimbabweans who have fled the country or lived in perilous economic times, facing the unemployment and hyperinflation that made many dependent on remittances from family members in exile. (Photo | AP)
'Dis' Grace Mugabe, also called 'Gucci Grace': She was initially the secretary of her 93 years old husband Mugabe, later became the first lady of Zimbabwe. The press nicknamed Mrs. Mugabe “Gucci Grace” and “Dis-Grace” for her shopping trips. During a trip to Paris in 2002, she was reported to have spent USD 120,000. She is also said to have purchased multimillion dollar properties in South Africa and built luxury palaces after pillaging party coffers. Earlier this year, she was widely panned for having spent USD 1.4 million on a diamond ring. She spent so much money on foreign trips that the European Union imposed sanctions on the Mugabes to stop them from sucking wealth out of the country. (Photo | AP)
'Dis' Grace Mugabe, also called 'Gucci Grace': She was initially the secretary of her 93 years old husband Mugabe, later became the first lady of Zimbabwe. The press nicknamed Mrs. Mugabe “Gucci Grace” and “Dis-Grace” for her shopping trips. During a trip to Paris in 2002, she was reported to have spent USD 120,000. She is also said to have purchased multimillion dollar properties in South Africa and built luxury palaces after pillaging party coffers. Earlier this year, she was widely panned for having spent USD 1.4 million on a diamond ring. She spent so much money on foreign trips that the European Union imposed sanctions on the Mugabes to stop them from sucking wealth out of the country. (Photo | AP)
Mugabe's lavishly partying children: Mr. Mugabe’s sons, who are in their 20s, have added to the anger among Zimbabweans by regularly posting pictures of their lavish lifestyle and partying on social media sites. Meanwhile the country is thrown into unemployment to almost 90 percent. The sons of Mugabe is indulged in luxurious activities in social media. Last week, a video emerged showing Mr. Mugabe’s younger son, Bellarmine Chatunga, pouring Champagne over an expensive watch on his wrist. On his Instagram feed, he wrote, “USD60 000 on the wrist when your daddy run the whole country ya know!!!” (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
Mugabe's lavishly partying children: Mr. Mugabe’s sons, who are in their 20s, have added to the anger among Zimbabweans by regularly posting pictures of their lavish lifestyle and partying on social media sites. Meanwhile the country is thrown into unemployment to almost 90 percent. The sons of Mugabe is indulged in luxurious activities in social media. Last week, a video emerged showing Mr. Mugabe’s younger son, Bellarmine Chatunga, pouring Champagne over an expensive watch on his wrist. On his Instagram feed, he wrote, “USD60 000 on the wrist when your daddy run the whole country ya know!!!” (Image Courtesy Facebook @chatungabellarminemugabe)
The firing of Vice President Emmerson  Mnangagwa: The chain of events leading to Mr. Mugabe’s downfall started on November 6, when he fired Mr. Mnangagwa, clearing the way for Mrs. Mugabe to take over the presidency at some point. Mr. Mugabe then tried to arrest the nation’s top military commander a few days later. The vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who retains strong support from the military, had been seen as a main rival to Mrs. Mugabe in the internal fight over who might succeed the president, who led his country to independence in 1980. (Photo | AP)
The firing of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa: The chain of events leading to Mr. Mugabe’s downfall started on November 6, when he fired Mr. Mnangagwa, clearing the way for Mrs. Mugabe to take over the presidency at some point. Mr. Mugabe then tried to arrest the nation’s top military commander a few days later. The vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who retains strong support from the military, had been seen as a main rival to Mrs. Mugabe in the internal fight over who might succeed the president, who led his country to independence in 1980. (Photo | AP)

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