History: Rule spans four decades

Many across the continent have known no other leader of the once-prosperous nation but Mr Mugabe.

Here is a look at his more than three decades in power.

■ 1980: Mr Mugabe is named prime minister after independence elections.

■ 1982: Military action begins in Matabeleland against perceived uprising; the government is accused of killing thousands of civilians.

■ 1987: Mr Mugabe changes the constitution and becomes president.

■ 1994: Mr Mugabe receives an honorary British knighthood.

■ 2000: Land seizures of white-owned farms begin.

■ 2005: The United States calls Zimbabwe an “outpost of tyranny”.

■ 2008: Mr Mugabe and opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai agree to share power after a contested election; The Queen annuls Mr Mugabe’s knighthood.

■ 2011: Prime Minister Mr Tsvangirayi declares powersharing a failure amid violence

■ 2013: Mr Mugabe wins a seventh term; the opposition alleges election fraud.

■ 2016: #ThisFlag protest movement emerges; independence war veterans turn on Mr Mugabe.

■ 2017: Mr Mugabe begins campaigning for the 2018 elections.

■ November 6: Mr Mugabe fires deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, appearing to position first lady Grace Mugabe for the vice-president post.

■ November 15: The army announces it has Mr Mugabe and his wife in custody as the military appears to take control.

■ November 18: Tens of thousands Zimbabweans march against Mr Mugabe.

■ November 19: Ruling party Central Committee tells Mr Mugabe to resign as president by noon on Monday or face impeachment. He addresses the nation but does not step aside.

■ November 21: Mr Mugabe resigns shortly after Parliament begins impeachment proceedings.