Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe resigned today, succumbing to a week of overwhelming pressure from the military that put him under house arrest, lawmakers from the ruling ZANU-PF party and opposition who started impeachment proceedings.
The capital, Harare, erupted in jubilation after news spread that the 93-year-old leader’s resignation letter was read out by the speaker of Parliament, whose members had gathered to impeach Mugabe after he ignored escalating calls to quit since a military takeover.
Mugabe, who was the world’s oldest head of state, said in his letter that legal procedures should be followed to install
a new president no later than tomorrow.
He said, his decision to resign is voluntary on his part and arises from his concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and his desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power.
The message was read out by parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda.
A ruling party official, Lovemore Matuke said that recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will take over as the country’s leader within 48 hours.
