Morgan Tsvangirai

Essay by Oscar Auliq-Ice

Morgan Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean politician and trade unionist who served as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. He was a prominent opposition leader who was known for his role in challenging the rule of President Robert Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Born on March 10, 1952, in Gutu, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Tsvangirai was educated at Gokomere Mission School and later became a miner. In 1988, he became the Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), which was an important platform for opposition to the government.

In 1999, Tsvangirai founded the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which became the main opposition party in Zimbabwe. The MDC challenged the ruling ZANU-PF party in the 2000 parliamentary elections, and Tsvangirai himself ran for president in the 2002 and 2008 presidential elections. The 2008 election was particularly controversial, with Tsvangirai claiming that he had won the election but was denied victory due to fraud and irregularities.

Throughout his career, Tsvangirai was a vocal critic of President Mugabe and his government, and he faced persecution and harassment as a result. In 2003, he was arrested and charged with treason, but the charges were later dropped. He was also beaten and arrested several times during protests and demonstrations.

In 2009, Tsvangirai entered into a power-sharing agreement with President Mugabe, which led to him becoming the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. The power-sharing agreement was intended to address the political and economic challenges facing Zimbabwe, including hyperinflation, unemployment, and political repression.

As Prime Minister, Tsvangirai worked to improve the country’s economy and to promote democracy and human rights. However, the power-sharing agreement was marked by tensions and disagreements, and it was not always successful in achieving its goals.

Tsvangirai was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, and he underwent treatment in South Africa. He died on February 14, 2018, at the age of 65. His death was widely mourned in Zimbabwe and around the world, with many people paying tribute to his role in challenging the rule of President Mugabe and his commitment to democracy and human rights.

In conclusion, Morgan Tsvangirai was a prominent opposition leader and trade unionist who played a significant role in challenging the rule of President Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party in Zimbabwe. His career was marked by persecution and harassment, but he remained committed to promoting democracy and human rights in his country. His legacy remains an important part of Zimbabwean history and the struggle for political change in the country.

Copyright © Oscar Auliq-Ice