Mugabe resigns as leader of Zimbabwe after 37 years

Finally, after a week of uncertainty, Robert Mugabe resigned as head of the state of Zimbabwe yesterday after 37 years in office. The move was announced by the president of the lower house, Jacob Mudenda, as Parliament debated a motion of censure against Mugabe.

Mudenda interrupted the joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate to read Mugabe’s letter of resignation as president - with immediate effect - and announced that a new president will be appointed today.

If he had not resigned from office, Parliament was willing to approve a motion of no confidence by Mugabe’s party, the African National Union of Zimbabwe-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), which has a majority in the two legislative chambers and the support of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T).

On the streets, the news was received with joy and clashes. Over the last few days, Mugabe had been reluctant to abandon the post he has held since 1987, although the army had taken over the country last week. Theresa May, prime minister of Britain, the country’s former colonial power, said that Mugabe’s resignation “gives Zimbabwe the opportunity to embark on a new path free from the oppression that has characterised his mandates.”