Mugabe ends long rule, Zimbabwe erupts in joy
INEVITABLE END Wild celebrations break out in parliament and on the streets
HARARE: Robert Mugabe re signed as Zimbabwe’s president on Tuesday a week after the army and his former political allies moved against him, ending four decades of rule by a man who turned from independence hero to archetypal African strong man.
The 93-year-old had clung on for a week after an army take over and expulsion from his own ruling ZAN U-PF party, but re signed shortly after parliament began an impeachment process seen as the only legal way to force him out.
Wild celebrations broke out at a joint sitting of parliament when speaker Jacob Mudenda announced Mug abe’ s resignation and suspended the impeachment procedure.
People danced and car horns blared on the streets of Harare at news that the era of Mug abe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, was finally over. Some people held posters of Zimbabwe an army chief General Constantino Chiwenga and former vice president Em mer son Mnangagwa, whose sac king this month triggered the military takeover that forced Mug abe out.
Mugabe is the only leader Zimbabwe has known since a guerrilla struggle ended whiteminority rule in the former Rhodesia.
During his reign, he took the once-rich country to economic ruin and kept his grip on power through repression of opponents, although he styled himself as the Grand Man of African politics and kept the admiration of many people across Africa.
The army seized power after Mugabe sacked Mnangagwa, ZANU-PF’s favourite to succeed him, to smooth a path to the presidency for his wife Grace ,52, known to her critics as “Gucci Grace” for her reputed fondness for luxury shopping.
But Mug abe refused to resign, prompting the impeachment procedure which would have been the only legal was to force him out. Mnangagwa, whose whereabouts are unknown after fleeing the country in fear for his safety, is expected to take over as president.