Mugabe's Degree Revoked

Michigan State revokes Mugabe's honorary degree

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan State University trustees Friday stripped Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe of an honorary law degree it gave him in 1990, citing a pattern of human rights abuses and political repression.

Mugabe led the successful struggle to overcome white minority rule over what then was called Rhodesia. But he now faces wide domestic and international opposition because of Zimbabwe's economic collapse and his crackdown on opponents.

A Zimbabwe diplomat said the board's timing is odd — one day after Mugabe announced a power-sharing agreement with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mugabe, 84, has received more than 50 honorary degrees over the years, said Wilbert Gwashavanhu, political counselor at the Zimbabwe Embassy in Washington.

This has been a long-time cause of conservative students at MSU. Of course, a communist like Mugabe should never have gotten an honorary degree.