DAVID PILLING: Robert Mugabe and the tragedy of liberation movements

The story of Robert Mugabe has echoes of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello. In the Bard’s version, the Moorish general, dignified and irreproachable at the play’s outset, is tricked into believing Desdemona has betrayed him. He strangles her to death.

In the Zimbabwean version, the role of Desdemona is played by the white settlers and the British government. Mugabe believes they have betrayed him. He strangles Zimbabwe to death.A subscription helps you enjoy the best of our business content every day along with benefits such as exclusive Financial Times articles, Morningstar financial data, and digital access to the Sunday Times and Times Select.

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