Speaker of Zimbabwe's Parliament announces Robert Mugabe's resignation

The Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament has announced that President Robert Mugabe, who led the country for 37 years, has stepped down, reported . the Associated Press

Speaker Jacob Mudenda read to Zimbabwean parliamentarians a letter from Robert Mugabe announcing his "immediate and voluntary resignation." Hearing this, members of parliament began to applaud and dance, according to the Associated Press. People on the streets of the country's capital Harare are also celebrating Mugabe's resignation.

Mudenda said the name of the new president would be announced on November 22, writes the Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald. An unnamed source in the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party told the Associated Press that former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to take over.

• On November 15, a group of military officers from the Zimbabwe Army High Command seized power in the country and placed President Robert Mugabe under house arrest. This happened shortly after the resignation of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was called one of two likely successors to Mugabe. The second was the President's wife, Grace Mugabe. Where she is now - under house arrest with her husband or abroad - is not exactly known.
• The military urged not to regard the events of November 15 as a military coup. They tried to convince Robert Mugabe to resign, but he refused , saying that he did not question his status as head of state and government. Then Mugabe was removed from the post of leader of the ruling party, after which, on November 21, parliament began the procedure for his impeachment. After Mugabe announced his resignation, it was suspended.
• Mugabe, 93, has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980. This is the oldest head of state on the planet and one of the longest-reigning presidents in Africa. Mugabe came to power as one of the heroes of the Zimbabwean War of Independence. During the 37 years of his reign, the country's economy fell into decay, and he himself turned into one of the most recognizable dictators in the world.