Last Mug Shot

“The rapid fall of Zimbabwe’s president, whose legendary guile and ruthlessness helped him outmaneuver countless adversaries over nearly four decades, probably has surprised no one more than Robert Mugabe himself. For years, he was so confident of his safety — and his potency — that he took monthlong vacations away from Zimbabwe after Christmas, never facing any threat during his long, predictable absences.” From the NYT: A Firing, a Feud and a First Lady. (When I first read this headline, for a second, I thought The Apprentice was back on the air.)

+ “Will their country remain an autocracy, run primarily by the same old men who will simply trade in their military fatigues for expensive designer suits? Or can the country put itself on a path toward inclusive democracy?” The Meaning of Robert Mugabe’s Stunning Non-Resignation.

+ BBC on Zimbabwe: 10 numbers that will help you understand what’s actually going on.