The Latest: Mugabe resigns for 'smooth transfer of power'

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press




10 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The Latest on Zimbabwe’s political turmoil (all times local):

6 p.m.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe says he is resigning immediately and voluntarily in order to have a “smooth transfer of power” after 37 years in charge.

The letter was read out in a cheering, dancing Parliament, which had been pursuing impeachment of the 93-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state.

The resignation comes at the end of a week of extraordinary events that began with the military moving in last week, angered by Mugabe’s firing of his longtime deputy and the positioning of the unpopular first lady to succeed him.

Impeachment allegations against Mugabe included that he “allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power” and that he is “of advanced age” and too incapacitated to rule.

Read more: https://www.apnews.com/4ebb2719f581469f9ceaf4f61486152e/The-Latest:-Zimbabwe's-Mugabe-has-resigned:-House-speaker

[BumRushDaShow]

1. WaPo article

Mugabe resigns under military pressure after 37 years as Zimbabwe’s leader

By Kevin Sieff November 21 at 11:07 AM

[BREAKING:Mugabe resigns under military pressure after 37 years as Zimbabwe’s leader]

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Pressure on Zimbabwe’s embattled President Robert Mugabe escalated on two fronts Tuesday, with his former vice president calling for him to heed the “clarion call” to step aside and parliament opening impeachment proceedings amid cheers.

The demand by the influential former vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, marked his first public statement since the military’s takeover last week that was widely expected to pave the way for Mnangagwa to replace Mugabe.

But Mugabe has remained defiant and the military has given mixed signals about its next move — further clouding an already confusing tumble of events since the military intervened last week against the 93-year-old president, who is defiantly clinging to power.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/breaking-with-military-zimbabwe-ex-vp-calls-for-mugabe-to-step-down-now/2017/11/21/a580b3fc-ce67-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html?utm_term=.53bc7936e89e

Time to go...

[Denzil_DC]

2. Wow.

Never thought I'd live to see him go (despite his age).

He went from hero championed by the UK etc. to despot. Let's hope Zimbabwe can begin to heal.