Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN) As a young priest, the Rev. Fidelis Mukonori collected evidence of atrocities during Zimbabwe’s brutal civil war. The reports filtered to Robert Mugabe, then a leading figure in the liberation struggles.
Source: Jesuit priest mediated Mugabe’s resignation – CNN
Decades later, Mukonori helped persuade Mugabe to relinquish power.
Zimbabwe’s society struggled under Mugabe’s rule
“He is a debater, he is a thinker, he argues intelligently, he can philosophize,” Mukonori said. “It was a question of making President Mugabe see what was happening in the country economically and politically at that time and what was at stake with regard to issues pertaining to the soldiers moving in.”
Since the military had insisted that this wasn’t a coup, but rather a way to settle a factional battle within the ruling ZANU-PF, they had to either get Mugabe to resign or face a protracted impeachment battle in Parliament to give the power transfer a constitutional flavor.
As the days dragged on, pressure mounted on Mukonori and the generals to make something happen.
Mukonori said he repeatedly assured Mugabe of his contribution to Zimbabwe as a liberation hero and father of the nation. Though vilified by much of the world, Mugabe is still revered by the military and ruling party leadership.
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