The Zimbabwean president rose to power as a champion of anti-colonial struggle, but during 37 years of authoritarian rule presided over the impoverishment and degradation of one of the sub-Saharan African country.

His death was announced on Twitter by Zimbabwe’s current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa and has set the continent of Africa in mourning mood.

In Mugabe, Africa lost one of its most vocal defenders and crusader for fair and just treatment of Africans around the world.

Mugabe, who dominated Zimbabwe’s politics for nearly 40 years, was a controversial figure whose supporters considered him as a hero who helped Zimbabwe from British colonialism, but whose detractors accused him of economic mismanagement, corruption and crimes against humanity.

His term as presidency ended amid chaos after he was first placed under house arrest by the Zimbabwean army on November 15, 2017, before being sacked as leader of the ZANU-PF party and threatened with impeachment if he did not resign. An announcement that he had resigned was released on November 21, 2017, although Mugabe himself subsequently seemed to deny the fact.

His ouster, which was preceded by large street demonstrations for his removal, was greeted with celebrations across the country.

Mugabe had been undergoing treatment in Singapore for an undisclosed illness since April. Mnangagwa said in August that Mugabe had been hospitalized but was recovering.