Robert Mugabe has resigned as president of Zimbabwe after 37 years in power. The 93-year-old confirmed his intention to step down in a letter to the speaker of the country’s parliament this afternoon. His decision to quit follows widespread protests on the streets of the capital, Harare, in the wake of the coup carried out last week by the country’s military.
In a rambling TV address on Sunday, Mugabe resisted calls to quit. But with Zimbabwean MPs debating an impeachment motion to remove Mugabe from power, the leader of the country’s Zanu PF party appears to have changed his mind. The news of Mugabe’s decision to resign was greeted with loud cheers in the chamber of the Zimbabwean parliament. This video shows the jubilant scenes as his resignation was announced:
Here is the moment Mugabe’s letter, in which he announced his resignation, was read to MPs:Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has resigned, speaker of Zimbabwe parliament announces as chamber erupts in cheers. pic.twitter.com/EEvhz7LAD3 — Dan Linden (@DanLinden) November 21, 2017
Theresa May said that Mugabe’s resignation ‘provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule’. In a statement, the Prime Minister said:The moment the speaker of Zimbabwe’s parliament read out Robert Mugabe’s letter of resignation https://t.co/ookRf1pBzM pic.twitter.com/eT5kRpNpnM— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 21, 2017
‘In recent days we have seen the desire of the Zimbabwean people for free and fair elections and the opportunity to rebuild the country’s economy under a legitimate government. As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.’
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