Robert Mugabe Dies At 95: Here's What You Need To Know About The Former Zimbabwe Strongman

Mugabe's early years were praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority, the BBC reported.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 13, 2007 Zimbabwe's then President Robert Mugabe gestures at a ZANU-PF extraordinary congress in Harare. - Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe with an iron fist from 1980 to 2017, has died aged 95, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced September 6, 2019. (Photo by ALEXANDER JOE / AFP)

Harare: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's first post-independence leader, died on Friday at the age of 95, at a hospital in Singapore. Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades since independence from Britain. The country's incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Twitter. "It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe. "Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace," he added. The former leader's family confirmed to the BBC that Mugabe died on Friday morning at a hospital in Singapore where he was admitted due to prolonged illness. Reports say he was hospitalized since April this year. Mugabe was born on February 21, 1924, in what was then Rhodesia.

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

Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace (2/2)

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019

Known as "the crocodile", Mugabe won Zimbabwe's first election after independence from British rule, becoming Prime Minister in 1980. He abolished the office in 1987, becoming President instead. Mugabe had an ungainly tenure after dislodging the white minority rule in 1980. During his tenure, the  economic problems, rights abuses, discontent among citizens rose following which a military intervention, impeachment proceedings by the parliament and massive street protests led to his ouster. Mugabe's early years were praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority, the BBC reported.