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Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe resigns

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, who once vowed to rule for life, resigned on Tuesday, succumbing to a week of overwhelming pressure from the military that put him under house arrest, lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition who started impeachment proceedings and a population that surged into the streets to say 37 years in power was enough.

Anadolu Agency WORLD
Published November 22,2017
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Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled his country for 37 years, resigned Tuesday following pressure from the military, protesters and a looming impeachment by parliament.

Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda announced Tuesday that Mugabe had submitted his resignation letter to parliament.

In the middle of the impeachment process, a notice of resignation was handed to Mudenda who immediately stopped the impeachment procedure.

"I Robert G. Mugabe hereby formally tender my resignation as president of Zimbabwe with immediate effect," read the speaker.

The news was received with wild celebrations among lawmakers for nearly 10 minutes with the Speaker unable to bring back order.

Immediately the speaker announced that the name of the new president would be announced within the next 24 hours.

Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa, whom Mugabe had dismissed, was reinstated in the ruling Zanu PF party and is expected to take over its leadership to subsequently become the president of Zimbabwe.

South African Television Enca showed live images of Zimbabweans celebrating on the streets of the capital Harare.

Deafening noise raged through the streets of the capital as people started moving by the thousands towards the Unity Square Garden where a vigil was being held until Mugabe resigned.

Some were on top of buses and packed in hooting cars heading towards the city center.

"I am at loss of words," said Trynos Musvo in Harare.

Last week, the Zimbabwean military took over the reins of the country and placed Mugabe, his wife and scores of his close ministers under house arrest.