At last, Mugabe bows to pressure, resigns to evade impeachment

.Sacked VP to conclude Mugabe’s tenure

.Citizens in and out Zimbabwe celebrate

.British PM lauds exit, US urges free elections

In what stands out as one of the most celebrated peaceful change of guard in the African continent, Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, on Tuesday, resigned as the country’s president, following seizure of instruments of power by the country’s military.

The resignation, The Daily Times gathered was borne out of sustained pressure on the embattled Mugabe to honourably quit office, failure of which impeachment proceedings was expected to have commenced on Tuesday, after expiration of grace to resign expired on Monday, November 20, 2017.

According to agency report, the country’s parliament speaker, Jacob Mudenda, read out what he said was a resignation letter from Mugabe as lawmakers met on Tuesday to begin impeachment proceedings against the president.

The letter said in part: “I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, hereby formally tender my resignation… with immediate effect.”

However, there was no confirmation of the letter from the president or his office and there was also no denial, either, but the state-run Herald Newspaper that until recently was pro-Mugabe confirmed the resignation.

Mugabe’s relinquishment of power as president of Zimbabwe, came a week after the army took over power and placed him under house arrest.

Mugabe, 93, had been under intense pressure at home and from outside to step down after 37 years in-charge but had previously refused.

Zimbabwe’s top general said on Monday that talks were planned between President Robert Mugabe and former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mugabe’s firing of Mnangagwa was at the heart of the army’s takeover.

The vice president, sacked by Mugabe, and sent on exile and returned to the country as soon as the military struck, was crowned with the leadership of the ZANU-PF ruling party and also billed to take over mantle of leadership of the country and preside over the country’s general election scheduled for 2018.

The Vice president’s discontent with Robert Mugabe had grown in recent years, after years of political oppression and economic hardship under his rule. But Mugabe was planning to run for another term as president in next year’s election, when he would have been 94, and he preferred to remove him from the radar to check any opposition from within.

The military took action after the president fired his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a hero of Zimbabwe’s liberation war, and hinted he would replace Mnangagwa with his wife, Grace Mugabe. The first lady and former vice president were locked in a political battle over who would succeed the aging president, and led competing factions in the ruling party.

Earlier on Tuesday before the resignation broke, Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF resolved to bring a motion in parliament impeach Mugabe, after an earlier deadline expired for the beleaguered leader to resign.

Meanwhile, world leaders have reacted to the development, including the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, who released a statement that said Mugabe’s resignation gives Zimbabwe the opportunity to pursue a path free of oppression.

“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,” she said in a statement Tuesday.

“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,” the British Prime Minister said.

Also reacting, the United State on Tuesday urged Zimbabwe’s leaders to hold “free, fair and inclusive elections” as it offered congratulations on the resignation of long-time president Robert Mugabe.

“Tonight marks an historic moment for Zimbabwe.

“We congratulate all Zimbabweans, who raised their voices and stated peacefully and clearly that the time for change was overdue,” a statement from the U.S. embassy in Harare said on Tuesday.

“Zimbabwe has an opportunity to set itself on a new path. Through that process, the U.S. urges unwavering respect for the rule of law and for established democratic practices.”

“Whatever short-term arrangements the government may establish, the path forward must lead to free, fair and inclusive elections.

“The people of Zimbabwe, free to assemble peacefully without undue interference and to voice their opinions without fear, choose their own leaders.”

Earlier, Botswana’s president, Khama had urged Mugabe in an open letter to “Quit if you love Zimbabwe”.

Following break of the resignation, euphoria of celebrations across the country and beyond was let loose as reactions from the citizens and general public continued to trail the development.

For instance, a group of ecstatic Zimbabweans were recorded chanting “rest in peace, rest in peace” outside the rainbow towers where the Parliamentarians met earlier.

As part of the celebration, a child was captured lifted up to a solider from the Zimbabwe Defence Force in the streets of Harare.

Mixed reactions from citizens have continued to trail the resignation, while some lauded the ouster of Mugabe, others expressed fear that the much expected change will continue to elude the country hence the same clique of politicians are eligible to succeed the ousted president.

Reactions on twitter monitored by The Daily Times revealed that @PastorEvanLive, wrote: “My fellow citizens, Robert Gabriel Mugabe has resigned. The journey has been long and hard but we did it. I can’t stop crying. The future beckons”.

Ferial Haffajee @ferialhaffajee wrote: “You can step down like Madiba or you can “resign” like Robert Mugabe, says @nkosi_milton of the @BBCAfrica.

Also, replying to @News24, @AFP wrote on twitter handle “Do Not Underestimate The power of a women Dr stop it lead his husband to be out” while at @News24, @AFP wrote “Iwe neni tine basa, so that this generation can enjoy A New Zimbabwe”.

Replying, @News24 also wrote “Cannot wait till South Africa ?? gets to be this happy!!!”

Darren hope hing‏ @darrenhopehing wrote “Too many pple died waiting for this to happen” while Michael JacobsMGJ‏
@Michael70394272 replying to @News24, wrote “Shame. Let them enjoy their moment of euphoria. Zanu-PF is still lurking in the shadows. Why must Africans always suffer?

Replying, @News24 wrote “EARLY Christmas for Zimbabwe…enjoy it alternative to drive Mugabe out of power”.
Also, Shaun Jayes‏ @shaunrsa5 replying to @News24 wrote “Shame man. They’re getting the same old despot with a different face. Very, very sad. And we’re still stuck with our corrupt fat toad. No hope”.

Bonny Amadi with agency reports