Was Mugabe a dictator? AFAICS Zimbabwe had an indpendent judicieary, rule (ish) of law and open (ish) elections: Mugabe had to opt for coalition with MDC at one point. ZANU certainly do not play fair: but elections were not of the Syrian or East German variety.Whilst the comparison can't be exact, look at how long De Valera dominated politics in Ireland, and I'm sure we could scout around otehr post-National Liberation situations.Or, much like early 20th century southern US states.Current, certainly, a mass murderer, indeed: but I think dictator is too strong, he never had personal rule.