US House Rep Karen Bass's office released the following:
September 6, 2019
Press Release
LOS
ANGELES – Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement
following the passing of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
“I want to acknowledge the passing of former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe. Robert Mugabe helped liberate Zimbabwe from the British colony in 1980 and served as its leader for 37 years. His ZANU-PF party won Zimbabwe’s first independent election. He helped build a foundation for a country where his government instituted health and education programs that lowered infant mortality rates and increased the number of high school and college graduates.
“Robert Mugabe stood up when his country was being colonized and that cannot be erased. Mr. Mugabe, however, did not make the change from liberator to the leader Zimbabwe needed, one rooted with sound democratic principles in good governance, rule of law, and press freedoms. Mr. Mugabe’s 37-year reign serves as a reminder that an overly extended time as Head of State ultimately can have a negative effect on a country. The impact is often restricted democratic participation, repression, and deteriorating economic conditions.”
