Zimbabwe's First President Robert Mugabe resigns under military pressure after 37 years as Zimbabwe’s President

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first president, is stepping down. The Washington Post’s Max Bearak reflects on Mugabe’s time in power. (Sarah Parnass, Max Bearak/The Washington Post)

Story by Washington Post
Written by Kevin Sieff

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s leader for nearly four decades, resigned Tuesday after being sidelined by the military and cast out by his own political party, marking the end of a tumultuous reign that lasted from the country’s independence through economic collapse.

The capital erupted in celebration, with crowds pouring into the streets, motorists honking horns and citizens giving high-fives to soldiers.

Mugabe’s exit marks a historic moment that will echo across Africa, where he was among the last surviving heroes of the anti-colonial struggle to remain in power, a leader who initially was lionized but came under increasing criticism as autocratic and brutal.

“The dictator is gone!” Takudzwa Jonasi, 32, chemical engineer, shouted as he celebrated with a jubilant crowd outside Parliament.

“For our generation we have never seen any change. We were not allowed to exercise our rights,” he added. Like many Zimbabweans, he has known no other leader.

“I am so happy the dictator is gone. I can’t speak, I have no words. We are finally free!” exclaimed Shoes Tazviwan, 36, a chef who had also joined the demonstrations.

In the end, the world’s oldest head of state was a victim of his own allies. After years of purging members of his inner circle, Mugabe had alienated the leaders of Zimbabwe’s military, who detained him and seized control of the country’s government.

The resignation came a week after the military announced it had essentially assumed control of the country and detained the 93-year-old president. After days of negotiations — and the largest anti-government demonstration in the country’s history — Mugabe went quietly, sending his resignation letter to parliament, where it was read by the speaker, Jacob Mudenda.

The surprise announcement came as parliament was debating Mugabe’s impeachment. Shortly before 5 p.m. local time, the speaker halted the discussion and announced the President’s departure. The body burst into cheers. After reading aloud the resignation letter, Mudenda announced that a new president would be named on Wednesday.

According to the speaker, Mugabe’s letter said he was resigning “with immediate effect” for “the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and the need for a peaceful transfer of power.”


Zimbabwean members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation on Nov. 21, 2017, in Harare. (Jekesai Njikizana/AFP/Getty Images)

Mugabe’s resignation leaves Zimbabwe at a crossroads — with the military technically in charge of the country, but with a wide array of political groups now angling for power. Former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by Mugabe earlier this month, appears most likely to inherit the presidency, at least in the short term.

Mnangagwa is a longtime Mugabe ally, nicknamed “the Crocodile” for his reputation for shrewd but often brutal tactics. The State Department once said he was “widely feared and despised throughout the country” and “could be an even more repressive leader” than Mugabe.

For the moment, Mnangagwa appears to have the backing of Mugabe’s former party and the military, but Zimbabwe’s opposition remains fragmented, and a wide range of politicians and activists will now try to seize upon Mugabe’s resignation to carve out their own positions in whatever government comes next.

For the last week, Zimbabweans have been united by their opposition to their long-ruling, autocratic leader, and many here expressed hope that the rare period of unity would lead to the formation of a broad coalition.

“Let’s agree for this moment that the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” said Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer and politician.

In front of parliament, people danced on car roofs and blasted music, waving Zimbabwean flags as the sun set over Harare. As soon as the news was announced on the local radio, car horns started blaring and people could be seen taking their hands from their steering wheels to pump their fists.

One man in a park fell to his knees in celebration with his arms outstretched. Another kissed the ground. Students in crisp school uniforms put down their books and marveled at the raucous scenes marking the end of the only leader they knew.

“It’s a new day for us. I’ve been carrying my exam results in my purse looking for a job. There is nothing. He has ruined our economy,” said Sibongile Tambudzi, 24, who pulled out the exam results and then vanished into a dancing crowd.


Civilians join soldiers in celebration after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on Nov. 21, 2017, in Harare. (Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images)

“He’s so arrogant,” Tatenda Farai, a 27-year-old bank employee, said of Mugabe. “We never thought he would just give up like this. I was sure he would die in office.”

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow,” said Precious Mazayi, the owner of a security company. “I don’t even know who the president is right now. But for now, let us just celebrate. We have waited so long for this.”

Mqondisi Dube, 42, who works for the state electrical company, struck a note of caution. “I was shocked it happened now, but I knew one way or the other it was going to come,” he said. Mugabe “was just under too much pressure.”

He added: “My relatives had to move to South Africa for work. He ruined our country. We will see what happens next. There are a lot of people who want power, but after our experience with Mugabe we have to be very, very careful.”
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Washington Post link: 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?tid=hybrid_experimentrandom_with_top_mostshared_1_na&utm_term=.eb5a272b2ea2

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