Zimbabwe rejoices as curtain finally falls on Mugabe’s 37-year reign

ZIMBABWE’S Robert Mugabe has resigned as president after 37 years in power, as parliament began impeachment proceedings against him.

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 Mr Mugabe after he ignored escalating calls to quit since a military takeover. Cars honked and people danced and sang across the city in a spectacle of free expression that would have been impossible during his rule. “Welcome to the new Zimbabwe”, people chanted outside a conference centre where the politicians met.

“Change was overdue... maybe this change will bring jobs”, said 23-year-old Thomas Manase, an unemployed university graduate.

Mr 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 today.

“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”, Mr Mugabe said in the message read out by parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda.

The recently fired vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa would take over as the country’s leader within 48 hours, said a ruling party official, Lovemore Matuke.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Mr Mugabe’s resignation should lead to free and fair People celebrating in the streets of Harare after hearing news of the resignation by Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe (inset)

elections and must not mark the transition from “one despotic rule to another”.

He said that he “would not pretend to regret Mugabe’s downfall” and the end of his 37year rule appeared to be a “moment

of hope” for Zimbabwe. Prime Minister Theresa May said that Mr Mugabe’s departure offered Zimbabwe the opportunity to “forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule”.