Updated: 6:50am – Robert Mugabe has resigned as president of Zimbabwe after 37 years in power, the speaker of the country’s parliament has said.
A letter from Mr Mugabe said that the decision was voluntary and that he had made it to allow a smooth transfer of power, Reuters reports.
Thousands of Zimbabweans poured onto the streets of Harare after the surprise announcement and cars were hooting in the streets.
Some people were holding posters of Zimbabwean army chief Constantino Chiwenga and former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose sacking this month triggered the military takeover that forced Mugabe to resign.
Mr Mugabe had previously refused to resign despite last week’s military takeover and days of protests.
He has been in power since independence in 1980.
His dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice-president two weeks ago triggered the moves to oust him.
That decision was seen by many as clearing the way for Mr Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to succeed her husband as leader. It angered the military leadership who stepped in and put Mr Mugabe under house arrest.
Students in Harare holding a portrait of former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa as they take part in a demonstration demanding the withdrawal of Grace Mugabe’s doctorate. Photo: AFP
The resignation letter from Mr Mugabe read out by the speaker made no mention of who he was leaving in charge of the country.
The speaker added that he was working on legal issues to make sure a new leader was in place by the end of Wednesday.
Robert Mugabe: Timeline of a political life
- 1924: Born
- 1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government
- 1980: Wins post-independence elections
- 1996: Marries Grace Marufu
- 2000: Loses referendum, pro-Mugabe militias invade white-owned farms and attack opposition supporters
- 2008: Comes second in first round of elections to Morgan Tsvangirai who pulls out of run-off amid nationwide attacks on his supporters
- 2009: Amid economic collapse, swears in Mr Tsvangirai as prime minister, who serves in uneasy government of national unity for four years
- 2017: Sacks long-time ally Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, paving the way for his wife Grace to succeed him. Army intervenes and forces him to step down
– BBC / Reuters / RNZ
Featured image: Members of Zimbabwe’s parliament were jubilant at Mr Mugabe’s resignation. Photo: AFP
