New Delhi:
Robert Mugabe, former president of Zimbabwe, has died aged 95 after battling ill health. The President of the African republic Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa confirmed the news on twitter.
He wrote: "It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe."
It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Mugabe led the country during two spells from 1980 to 2017. He was accused of vote rigging, intimidation and embezzlement before being booted from power in 2017 after a military coup.
In 2017, he was granted immunity from prosecution as part of the deal that led to his resignation. Mugabe had told negotiators he did not want to live in exile and wanted to die in Zimbabwe.
