According to several Zimbabwean news outlets, a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable has revealed that Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe‘s end may be drawing near. The cable, which was released by WikiLeaks in an apparent mass dump of documents details how Gideon Gono, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, had told an Ambassador that President Mugabe contracted prostate cancer and had five years to live. This would bring Uncle Bob’s life expectancy to somewhere around 2013.
Mugabe, who is 87 years old, has reportedly been obsessed with beating Kenneth Kaunda‘s streak of 27 years as President of Zambia. Such is Mugabe’s obsession, that he’s supposedly been going against doctor’s orders to step down in order to lead his party to victory. According to reports, Mugabe told his doctor that he would step down after the elections.
Knowing Uncle Bob’s obsession with power, however, it’s safe to assume that he will not relinquish power once the elections have concluded. Giving up is simply not Mugabe’s style. If history is any indication, Mugabe will keep a hold on the reins for as long as possible -– right to the bitter end.
Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, that time can’t come soon enough. In the past two years, the Zimbabwean economy has seen a slight turnaround, but at the cost of nearly twenty years of misgoverning and hardship, which saw the Zimbabwean dollar reach hyperinflation to the point where they now use several other countries’ forms of currency instead. Still, Gideon Gono denies the report, saying that he “wouldn’t even dare talk about that.” I suppose at this point only time will tell.
One thing is for certain, however; Uncle Bob hasn’t been looking good lately, both in health and politically. With his support of exiled Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Mugabe hasn’t been doing himself any favors. One way or another, it looks like Mugabe’s time as President of Zimbabwe is drawing to an end.
(Image: CIA World Factbook)
