I think what the writer was getting at, is that Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia, in honor of Cecil Rhodes.
But when white government rule came to an end, and the black majority took over, they renamed the country Zimbabwe.
So it makes one wonder how anyone in that country could allow the name Cecil to be given to this allegedly famous animal. Since they had taken action to rename the country so as not to honor the colonial settler Cecil Rhodes.
That’s true but I have read reports from Zimbabwe where they’re shocked at the all the attention the lion is getting in the U.S.. They would prefer people pay more attention to their horrible economy and lack of basic needs like electricity and food.