The former president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe has died, according to a tweet by his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday. He was 95.
“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” Mnangagwa wrote.
It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Mugabe died after battling ill health, the BBC reported on Friday, citing his family.
He was the first post-independence leader of Zimbabwe, and took power in 1980 after the white minority rule ended.
His 37-year rule concluded in 2017 when he was forced to resign, following a coup which saw the military take control of the country after he was placed under house arrest.
He was known, both at home and overseas, as a power-hungry autocrat. When he finally resigned, there were wild celebrations in the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. Mnangagwa succeeded Mugabe in November 2017.
The ailing Mugabe spent his remaining years shuttling between medical facilities in Singapore and his mansion in Harare, Reuters reported, saying the former oppressor died in Singapore.
— Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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