2008 Woodie Awards
University strips Mugabe's degree
By Lucas Correia, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News
The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees unanimously revoked the honorary law degree given to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on June 12.
This is the first time the Board has taken such action. Board Chairman Robert Manning told members of the press "rescinding an honorary degree is a step to be taken in the rarest and most grievous of circumstances."
Mugabe's role as a political activist catapulted him to power with the support of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), an organization originally aimed at ending the white minority rule in the former Rhodesia.
Mugabe joined ZANU in 1963, the same year it was formed and emerged as its leader in 1974 after serving for 10 years as a political prisoner.
In 1979, Mugabe took part in the three-month-long Lancaster House Agreement. Signed on Dec. 21 of that year, the agreement ended white minority rule and declared Zimbabwe an independent nation.
Zimbabwe's first general election was held in February of 1980, and Mugabe was elected Prime Minister.
"At that time, Mugabe was universally regarded as one of the bright lights of African leadership having successfully led a protracted, agonizing liberation against an unapologetically racist regime," said African-American studies professor Michael Thelwell, who took part in the discussions leading up to UMass' giving him an honorary degree in 1986.
In 1987, Zimbabwe abolished the position of Prime Minister and Mugabe became the nation's President, which granted him additional executive power. He has now been in power for 28 years.
Talks among the Board members regarding Mugabe began in June of 2007. The board decided the most appropriate action would be to reprimand the African president. Robert Connolly, vice president of communications at UMass, described the message as a "very blunt and very harsh critique of Robert Mugabe and his policies in Zimbabwe." The board also told Mugabe it would "continue to monitor and study his actions and reserve the right to take additional action," said Connolly.
This is the first time the Board has taken such action. Board Chairman Robert Manning told members of the press "rescinding an honorary degree is a step to be taken in the rarest and most grievous of circumstances."
Mugabe's role as a political activist catapulted him to power with the support of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), an organization originally aimed at ending the white minority rule in the former Rhodesia.
Mugabe joined ZANU in 1963, the same year it was formed and emerged as its leader in 1974 after serving for 10 years as a political prisoner.
In 1979, Mugabe took part in the three-month-long Lancaster House Agreement. Signed on Dec. 21 of that year, the agreement ended white minority rule and declared Zimbabwe an independent nation.
Zimbabwe's first general election was held in February of 1980, and Mugabe was elected Prime Minister.
"At that time, Mugabe was universally regarded as one of the bright lights of African leadership having successfully led a protracted, agonizing liberation against an unapologetically racist regime," said African-American studies professor Michael Thelwell, who took part in the discussions leading up to UMass' giving him an honorary degree in 1986.
In 1987, Zimbabwe abolished the position of Prime Minister and Mugabe became the nation's President, which granted him additional executive power. He has now been in power for 28 years.
Talks among the Board members regarding Mugabe began in June of 2007. The board decided the most appropriate action would be to reprimand the African president. Robert Connolly, vice president of communications at UMass, described the message as a "very blunt and very harsh critique of Robert Mugabe and his policies in Zimbabwe." The board also told Mugabe it would "continue to monitor and study his actions and reserve the right to take additional action," said Connolly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Taku
posted 9/03/08 @ 9:58 AM EST
This is a very noble an idea as Robert Mugabe has abandoned his people. He therefore does not deserve any of the honorary degrees he still holds.
However l feel more should be done to ensure the people of Zimbabwe are free again, how can one man hold the nation to ransom. (Continued…)
Post a Comment