ROBERT Mugabe has resigned as president after 37 years in power, as Parliament began impeachment proceedings against him.
“My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power,” said Mugabe in a letter read out in Parliament, sparking cheers and dancing.
Cars began honking horns and people cheered in the streets, as the news spread like wildfire across the capital, Harare.
Mugabe, who had been the world’s oldest head of state at 93, said proper procedures should be followed to install new leadership.
Mugabe’s resignation brought an end to the impeachment proceedings begun by the ruling ZANU-PF party after its central committee voted to oust the president as party leader and select recently fired vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa as his replacement.
A ruling party official said Mnangagwa would take over as leader within 48 hours.
Currently in exile, Mnangagwa served for decades as Mugabe’s enforcer, with a reputation for being astute and ruthless.
Before the resignation, crowds rallied outside Parliament, dancing and singing. Some people put photos of Mugabe in the street so that cars would run over them.
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