On 21st November 2017 Robert Mugabe resigned as President of Zimbabwe after 37 years in power. A week earlier the military had seized control of the country and forced him to step down as leader of the ruling Zanu-PF party. In this revised and updated edition of his classic biography, Stephen Chan seeks to explain and interpret Mugabe in his role as a key player in the politics of Southern Africa
Focusing on the complex journey to peace in Mozambique, the narrative delves into the intricate negotiations that followed the end of hostilities, highlighting both the contentious and idealistic elements involved. It scrutinizes the influence of international players, including South Africa, the United Nations, and various humanitarian and religious organizations. The book also offers valuable insights and lessons on conflict resolution and peacekeeping that are applicable to Africa and other regions facing similar challenges.
Focusing on the complex political landscape of Zimbabwe, this study delves into the life and beliefs of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who has faced severe persecution from Robert Mugabe's regime. Through interviews and research, Professor Stephen Chan explores Tsvangirai's vision for his country amidst its descent into chaos and violence. The work portrays Tsvangirai as a principled democrat and a symbol of hope for Zimbabwe's recovery, raising critical questions about the future of both the leader and the nation he seeks to save.
The book offers an in-depth exploration of Morgan Tsvangirai's journey from union leader to Prime Minister, analyzing how his experiences shaped his capabilities for high office. Through insightful conversations with Stephen Chan during a pivotal moment in Tsvangirai's life, the narrative delves into his personal, intellectual, and political qualities, questioning whether he possesses the attributes necessary for the presidency. Ultimately, it provides a nuanced and intimate portrayal of Tsvangirai's leadership in the context of Zimbabwe's political landscape.
A probing, at times startling, long essay on how the threat of jihadism has shaped our societies since 9/11.
African liberation is often seen in terms of heroism, but seldom in terms of thought. Even Sartre, in his preface to Frantz Fanon's seminal The Wretched of the Earth, wrote of the 'native' with his coiled muscles about to explode into rebellion. The African and the black person are denied the condition of philosophy, apparently driven only by frustration and anger. Stephen Chan's new book charts the long history of African political thought, from the years of North American slavery, through the development of modern African nationalism and the difficulties of governing new states, to Africa's political philosophy today, taking on the world as an equal. He dwells at length on major figures from Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah's postcolonial generation to Biko, Mandela and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He shows their leadership to be inseparable from their ideas, and from those of literary giants including Fanon, W.E.B. Du Bois and NgÅ(c)gÄ(c) wa Thiong'o. This is no hagiography: Chan critically examines his thinkers, who also include Mugabe and Mobutu, and expresses concern for the future of Pan-Africanism. But his fascinating account reveals a thoughtful continent that has made complex, significant contributions to the world's intellectual commons-yet continues to seek freedom.