Morgan Tsvangirai

ModernPoliticianZimbabwe1952 — ?

Zimbabwean opposition leader who won first round.

Compare:vs Napoleon vs Julius Caesar

Quick Facts

Born

1952

Country

Zimbabwe

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)30

Political (20%)73

Influence (20%)74

Legacy (20%)65

Leadership (15%)77

Strategy (15%)56

Total Score65.3

Morgan Tsvangirai — Complete Timeline

1999 AD

Founded Movement for Democratic ChangePolitical Action◆ Major

Tsvangirai founded the MDC as a trade union-backed opposition party to challenge Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF. The party quickly became the main opposition in Zimbabwe.

Political PartyOpposition

Impact: nationalconstructive

2008 AD

Won First Round of Presidential ElectionPolitical Action

Tsvangirai won the first round of the presidential election with 47.9% of the vote against Mugabe's 43.2%. However, he withdrew from the runoff due to widespread violence against his supporters.

ElectionViolenceRunoff

Impact: national

2009 AD

Became Prime Minister of ZimbabwePolitical Action◆ Major

Tsvangirai became Prime Minister in a power-sharing government with Robert Mugabe, following the disputed 2008 election. The Government of National Unity aimed to resolve the political and economic crisis.

Prime MinisterUnity Government

Impact: national

2013 AD

Lost 2013 Presidential ElectionPolitical Action◆ Major

Tsvangirai lost the presidential election to Robert Mugabe, receiving 34% of the vote against Mugabe's 61%. The MDC alleged widespread fraud, but the result was upheld by the courts.

ElectionDefeat

Impact: national

2018 AD

Died of CancerOther◆ Major

Tsvangirai died of colon cancer at the age of 65. His death was a major blow to the opposition movement in Zimbabwe, leaving a leadership vacuum in the MDC.

DeathOpposition

Impact: nationaltragic