, 93, announced his resignation in the middle of impeachment proceedings against him on Tuesday.
The country erupted into scenes of joy, with cheering and dancing in the streets going on late into the night as people celebrated the end of a leader whose rule was overtaken by economic collapse, government dysfunction and human rights violations.
Now the focus turns to Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s long-time deputy who was pushed aside earlier this month as unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe positioned herself to replace him and succeed her husband.
Mnangagwa fled the country, claiming to have received threats on his life but he is due to return to the country today to commence his term.
Live Updates
Mnangagwa in brief
– The 75-year-old was one of Mugabe’s most trusted lieutenants, having been at his side in prison, during wartime and then in government.
– He trained as a communist guerrilla in China in the 1960s before being captured fighting white colonial rule in what was then Rhodesia.
– He was sentenced to death but, at 19, was too young so spent ten years in prison, often sharing a cell with Mugabe.
– Mnangagwa became personal assistant to the him, and went on to head the guerrilla movement’s feared internal security bureau.
– He was in charge of internal security in the mid-1980s when Mugabe deployed a crack North Korean-trained brigade against rebels loyal to his rival Joshua Nkomo. Rights groups say 20,000 civilians, mostly from the Ndebele tribe, were killed.
– He was appointed in 2014 as Mugabe’s official deputy and earned the nickname “Ngwena”, Shona for crocodile, an animal famed in Zimbabwean lore for its stealth and ruthlessness.
– Secretive and insular, he prefers to operate under the radar, those in his inner circle say, and when pushed into a corner, resorts to jokes and trivia to avoid serious discussion.
Mnangagwa touches down
According to ZBC, Mnangagwa has arrived back in Zimbabwe and will addres the party later today.
PM wants Zimbabwe to rejoin international community
Britain wants Zimbabwe to rejoin the international community following the resignation of Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday.
“We want to see that country rejoining the international community,” May told parliament.
‘They will never again go back into a box of silence’
The Zimbabwe Herald described Mugabe’s resignation as marking “a new beginning for Zimbabwe”.
“The mistakes of the past were washed away in an incredible party, an exceptionally good-natured celebration, and Zimbabwe was once again a far more united country and a society with exceptionally high morale,” it wrote.
“For some things have now changed, forever. The overwhelming majority of the marchers on Saturday and those in the impromptu celebrations last night were the younger generations…
“They will never again go back into a box of silence.”
‘It is easy to blame the woman’
Military intervention and the eventual resignation of Robert Mugabe was sparked by his decision to sack his deputy, appearing to pave the way for his wife to become the next president.
First Lady Grace Mugabe has become a villainous figure in the country, with many – including the ruling party – blaming her for Mugabe’s political failures.
But some have pointed out that she is being used as a scapegoat for Mugabe and has become an excuse for the people to let the former President off lightly.
Opposition MP Priscilla Mushonga told the BBC that “it’s very easy to blame the woman.
“I think Mugabe has been terrible since 1983 when he killed 20,000 people in Matabeleland,” she said. “Grace Mugabe was probably doing her form one [year seven] at that stage.
“Yes, she may have been at the centre of it now but she probably was just a tool for him to continue to maintain power.
“So to put it all on Grace I think is a very patriarchal, very misogynistic analysis of what we’ve been facing.”
‘Our hero’
Singing and cheering crowds gathered at a military air base in Harare for Mnangagwa’s arrival held signs reading “Welcome back, our hero” and “True to your word, you’re back. Welcome.”
Crowds gather to welcome Mnangagwa
Military chief threatens to deal ‘severely’ with acts of revenge against regime
Zimbabwe’s military chief has threatened to deal “severely” with any acts of revenge against members of Robert Mugabe’s regime.
Following a night of celebration on the streets of Harare, Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Chiwenga urged “maximum restraint.”
Chiwenga said ‘acts of vengeful retribution or trying to settle personal scores will be dealt with severely’
The general, whose led the seige last week, said: “Acts of vengeful retribution or trying to settle personal scores will be dealt with severely.
“Zimbabweans across the political divide should exercise maximum restraint and observe law and order to the fullest.
“Our vaunted character and tradition as a peaceful and law-abiding nation must now show in practical terms through unconditional observance of the law.”
Read the full story here.
‘Adios Bob’
Today’s headlines in Zimbabwe:
Mnangagwa to be sworn in on Friday
Zimbabwe’s state-run broadcaster says incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa will arrive today and be sworn in Friday.
ZBC said is has it on “good authority that Mnangagwa will be arriving in the country today at 6pm today” at a military air base in the capital, Harare.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s return
Mnangagwa should land at 1.30 pm (11.30 GMT) and is expected to be sworn in today or tomorrow.
He will then be expected to lead ZANU-PF into elections next year, Larry Mavhima, an ally of the former vice president, told Reuters.
Good morning, welcome to the Standard’s live coverage of the political situation in Zimbabwe.
Today, former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to return to the country.
He should be sworn in as president following the resignation of Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power, a senior ruling party official said.
We will be updating you on events as they unfold.
That’s it for our live coverage.
On a momentous day, Robert Mugabe resigned as the president of Zimbabwe days after a coup swept the country.
Zimbabwe’s parliament speaker Jacob Mudenda confirmed the news this afternoon after a motion was delivered to have him impeached for refusing to step down.
He is expected to be replaced by his fired vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, known as The Crocodile, within 48 hours.
Read more on this story here.
President-elect speaks
Emmerson Mnangagwa says he wants to “ensure a peaceful transition to the consolidation of our democracy” and to “tackle the political and economic challenges” facing Zimbabwe
He told NewsDay on Tuesday evening: “I want to congratulate the people of Zimbabwe on reaching this historic moment.
“Together, we will ensure a peaceful transition to the consolidation of our democracy, and bring in a fresh start for all Zimbabweans and foster peace and unity.
“I look forward together with you the people of Zimbabwe to tackle the political and economic challenges facing our beloved country.”
Celebrations into the night
‘I can’t stop crying’
The Zimbabwe pastor who last year led the country’s largest anti-government protests in a decade has said he “can’t stop crying” following the resignation of Robert Mugabe as president.
Evan Mawarire tweeted as residents of the capital, Harare, poured into the streets after Mugabe’s resignation letter was read out in Parliament in the middle of impeachment proceedings.
Queen now oldest head of state
Robert Mugabe’s resignation as president of Zimbabwe at the age of 93 has pushed Queen Elizabeth II into the position of the world’s oldest living head of state.
Here are the current top eight oldest heads of state:
1. Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom: Age – 91
2. Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia: Age – 90
3. Sheikh Sabah IV Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait: Age – 88
4. Raul Castro, Cuba: Age – 86
5. Paul Biya, Cameroon: Age – 84
6. Michel Aoun, Lebanon: Age – 84
7. Akihito, Emperor of Japan: Age – 83
8. King Salaman, Saudi Arabia: Age – 81
2. Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia: Age – 90
3. Sheikh Sabah IV Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait: Age – 88
4. Raul Castro, Cuba: Age – 86
5. Paul Biya, Cameroon: Age – 84
6. Michel Aoun, Lebanon: Age – 84
7. Akihito, Emperor of Japan: Age – 83
8. King Salaman, Saudi Arabia: Age – 81
Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?
Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, is expected to be named president of Zimbabwe within the next two days.
He was one of Mugabe’s most trusted lieutenants, having been at his side in prison, during wartime and then in government.
He was appointed in 2014 as Mugabe’s official deputy, and had appeared well set to be his eventual successor before he was dismissed for showing “traits of disloyalty”.
Mnangagwa has earned the nickname “Ngwena”, Shona for crocodile, an animal famed in Zimbabwean lore for its stealth and ruthlessness.
He backed Mugabe’s economic nationalism, especially a drive to force foreign firms to hand majority stakes to local blacks, suggesting he may not be the pro-market pragmatist many investors were hoping for.
He has been in every administration since independence, holding posts as varied as minister of state security, defence and finance, as well as speaker of parliament.
Most controversially, he was in charge of internal security in the mid-1980s when Mugabe deployed a crack North Korean-trained brigade against rebels loyal to his rival Joshua Nkomo.
Rights groups say 20,000 civilians, mostly from the Ndebele tribe, were killed. Mugabe denies genocide or crimes against humanity but has admitted it was a “moment of madness”.
Mnangagwa’s role remains shrouded in mystery.
He learnt his politics in prison in the 1960s after being sentenced to death for sabotage by British authorities, having been captured while in one of the earliest guerrilla units fighting white colonial rule in what was then Rhodesia.
He was 19 and only spared the noose by a law prohibiting the execution of convicts under 21.
Source:-standard.