2ND LEAD: Celebrations in Zimbabawe as President Mugabe resigns

21 Novembre 2017

Harare, Zimbabwe, November 21 (Infosplusgabon) -  News of the resignation of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has sparked wild celebrations across the southern African country. Tens of thousands of people have poured into the streets of cities and towns, dancing, screaming, crying for joy, tooting car horns and jubilating on the news.

"Finally, finally, finally, he's gone,"a woman said in Harare in joy. "I never thought I could see this in my life time," said another woman.

News of President Mugabe's resignation was broken by the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, while the processes to impeach the 93-year-old president were in process.

He read out the resignation letter to members of the National Assembly and Senate during a joint sitting at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) to impeach him.

"I Robert Gabriel Mugabe in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe hereby formally tender my resignation... with immediate effect," the letter said.

"My decision to resign is voluntary on my part. It arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire to ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power that underpins national security, peace and stability."

Celebrations erupted in the hall and outside and spilled over into the streets.

Mudenda is quoted as saying a new leader will be in office by the end of Wednesday, adding that he was dealing with legal issues to ensure that the vacuum left by President Robert Mugabe's resignation was filled.

President Mugabe resigned after a week of pressure from the military, War Veterans, ruling ZANU-PF and the general population

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.

On its part, the African Union (AU) said that the political transition in Zimbabwe was legitimate following a decision by the ruling ZANU-PF party to strip President Mugabe of his party seat.

AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said the party’s decision to remove Mugabe from his party position after an military intervention was legitimate.

"We are not witnessing a coup d' etat. The process is legitimate if it complies with the law. The ruling party chased away its leader, it is our hope everything would be done to stick to legality," Mahamat said at press briefing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before President Mugabe resigned.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/UIY/ GABON 2017

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