Finally, Mugabe resigns

Harare, November 21 

Robert Mugabe resigned as Zimbabwe’s President on Tuesday a week after the army and his former political allies moved to end four decades of rule by a man once feted as an independence hero who became feared as a despot.

His former Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be sworn in as President on Wednesday or Thursday, Patrick Chinamasa, legal secretary of the ruling ZANU-PF said.

The 93-year-old Mugabe had clung on for a week after an army takeover. He finally resigned shortly after parliament began an impeachment process seen as the only legal way to force him out. “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,” said Mugabe in his letter which was read out in parliament. 

Wild celebrations broke out at a joint sitting of parliament when Speaker Jacob Mudenda read out Mugabe’s brief resignation letter and suspended the impeachment procedure. Mugabe, who has been confined to his Harare residence, did not appear in person. People danced on streets and car horns blared at news that the era of Mugabe — who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 — was finally over.

“I am very happy with what has happened,” said Maria Sabawu, a supporter of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Some held posters of Mnangagwa, whose sacking this month triggered the military takeover that forced Mugabe out, and of army chief General Constantino Chiwenga.

Despite the outpouring of joy on the streets, his downfall was as much the result of in-fighting among the political elite as a popular uprising, although thousands of people rallied against him in the days after the army intervened last week.

ZANU-PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke said Mnangagwa would be sworn in within 48 hours and that he would serve the remainder of Mugabe's term until the next general election, which must be held by September 2018.

 Mugabe is the only leader Zimbabwe has known since a guerrilla struggle ended white-minority 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 Old Man of African politics and kept the admiration of many people across Africa. The army seized power after Mugabe sacked Mnangagwa, all set 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.

Mugabe’s refusal to resign prompted the impeachment procedure. His resignation letter, read out by the parliamentary speaker, did not indicate any preferred successor. — Agencies

‘The Crocodile’ set to take over as president

• Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, elected as the new leader of Zimbabwe’s ruling political party, is now poised to take over as the country’s President within 48 hours
• A former security chief known as ‘The Crocodile’, he was a chief lieutenant to Mugabe for decades and stands accused of participating in repression against Zimbabweans who challenged the leader
• He has engineered a remarkable comeback using skills he no doubt learned from his longtime mentor, the newly resigned President Robert Mugabe
• Among the population, he is more feared than popular, but he has strategically fostered a loyal support base within the military and security forces. A leading government figure since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, he became Vice-President in 2014
• Mnangagwa fled the country to avoid arrest while issuing a statement saying he would return to lead Zimbabwe