Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, nearly 20 years after its last execution, making it the 127th country in the world to eliminate capital punishment. President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the law into effect, following the cabinet's decision to eliminate capital punishment in June.

This move marks a significant shift in Zimbabwe's justice system, which has continued to hand down death sentences despite not carrying out an execution since 2005. According to Amnesty International, 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while two countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only.

President Mnangagwa, who was once sentenced to death by former Prime Minister Ian Smith's White-minority government during Zimbabwe's fight for independence, has long been an outspoken critic of capital punishment. His decision to abolish the death penalty is seen as a step towards aligning Zimbabwe with international human rights standards.

Last year, Lucia Masuka, head of Amnesty in Zimbabwe, urged African countries to follow the global trend of moving away from the death penalty. With Zimbabwe's abolition, the country joins a growing list of nations that have recognized the inhumane and ineffective nature of capital punishment.

The abolition of the death penalty also brings relief to the 65 prisoners currently on death row. Under President Mnangagwa's amnesty in April last year, all prisoners on death row were resentenced to life imprisonment.

Zimbabwe's decision to abolish the death penalty has significant implications for the country's justice system and its human rights record. It is a step towards creating a more humane and just society, and sets an example for other African countries to follow.

As the world moves towards a more progressive and rights-based approach to justice, Zimbabwe's abolition of the death penalty is a welcome development. It is a testament to the country's commitment to upholding human rights and promoting a culture of dignity and respect for all individuals.

In the broader context, Zimbabwe's decision highlights the growing trend towards abolition of the death penalty globally. As more countries recognize the flaws and injustices inherent in capital punishment, the world moves closer to a future where the death penalty is a relic of the past.