Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has resigned, parliament speaker Jacob Mudenda says.
The surprise announcement came as lawmakers debated an impeachment motion against the 93-year-old leader in a joint sitting of parliament.
Lawmakers roared in jubilation and people have begun celebrating in the streets.
Mr. Mugabe had previously refused to resign despite last week’s military takeover and days of protests.
REUTERS: Celebrations quickly broke out in HarareHe has been in power since independence in 1980. Mr Mugabe has won elections, but over the past 15 years these have been marred by violence against political opponents.
He has presided over a deepening economic crisis in Zimbabwe, where people are on average 15% poorer now than they were in 1980.
What triggered the moves to oust him was his dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice-president two weeks ago.
That decision was seen by many as clearing the way for Mr Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to succeed her husband as leader. It riled the military leadership, who stepped in and put Mr Mugabe under house arrest.
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Source: BBC