Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta paid tribute to former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe during his state funeral in Harare, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to African sovereignty and liberation movements.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kenyatta highlighted Mugabe’s support for anti-colonial struggles across the continent during the 1980s and 1990s, noting his advocacy for self-reliance and the equitable use of African resources. "The late President Mugabe embodied the spirit of Pan-Africanism, offering critical support to nations fighting for independence and equality," Kenyatta said.
Mugabe, born in 1924, led Zimbabwe from its independence in 1980 until 2017. His 37-year tenure saw both transformative policies and contentious governance, but his influence on African politics remained profound. The Zimbabwean leader died at 95 in Singapore in September 2019.
Regional leaders at the funeral included Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Mnangagwa described Mugabe as a revolutionary patriot who prioritized African unity over partisan interests.
The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute and military honors, underscoring Mugabe’s status as Zimbabwe’s founding father. He is survived by his wife, Grace Mugabe, and three children.
