LEAD: President Mugabe resigns

Imprimer

Harare, Zimbabwe, November 21 (Infosplusgabon) - President Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Tuesday resigned after a week of pressure from the military, War Veterans, ruling ZANU-PF and the general population.

 

His resignation letter was read out to members of the National Assembly and Senate by the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, during a sitting at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) to impeach him.

 

The joint session of the House had moved to the HICC centre since the Parliament chamber could not accommodate all members.

 

News of the resignation of the 93-year-old liberation hero, who had been in power since 1980, sent tens of thousands of people pouring into the streets of cities and towns in the southern African country in jubilation.

 

"Finally, finally, finally, he's gone," said an excited woman in Harare.

 

The impeachment process began on Tuesday with the Speaker of Parliament reading the rules and regulations of the process after the former President refused to step down on Sunday despite the ruling ZANU-PF sacking him earlier as its leader.

 

In a nationwide broadcast, he said he would preside over the party's congress due to be held from 12-17 December. That angered the population the more.

 

Last Saturday, huge crowds poured into the streets of cities across the country to celebrate last Wednesday's take over of the country by the military and demand that the beleaguered President stepped down.

 

The liberation hero, who spent 10 years in prison, fought against racism and colonialism, led Zimbabwe to independence in 1980 and presided over economic success in the initial stages, was clearly painted as a villain as the fortunes of the country have deteriorated sharply following bad policies, corruption and dictatorship, among others.

 

A bitter struggle for power which prominenty featured the former presidents wife, Grace, who was positioning herself on pole position to succeed the frail president, was apparently the last straw that broke the camel's back, especially as the vice-president Emmerson Mnagagua was sacked two weeks ago from his post and party.

 

The military struck, taking over the country and gave freedom to the people. And with Mugabe's popularity at its lowest ever, they spoke with one voice - Mugabe must go!

 

Mnangagua, nicknamed "The Crocodile" on Tuesday snapped back as he also asked President Mugabe to resign.

 

The regional grouping, Southern African Development Community, which met on Tuesday in Angola to discuss the Zimbabwean crisis, resolved to send the presidents of South Africa, Jacob Zuma and Angola, João Lourenço, to Harare.

 

That was before the resignation of Mugabe. Now, their mission may change to resolving the crisis to ensuring a smooth transition to a free and fair election that will put the country back on track.

 

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OAE/ GABON 2017

 

 

 

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