After 37 years in power Robert Mugabe has been sacked by his ruling ZANU-PF party and replaced by Emmerson eM-nan-gagwa. He is the man the veteran president sacked two weeks bringing on his own political downfall.
According to sources close to the negotiation, Mugabe has agreed to stand down.
The ZBC state broadcaster confirmed that Mugabe would address the nation shortly from his official State House office. The source did not know details of his resignation deal.
The vote by senior Zanu-PF officials significantly weakens Mugabe’s position. If he refused to step down, Zimbabwe’s parliament was expected to move to impeach him when it reconvenes on Tuesday.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Harare where the desire for change is palpable.
“We’ve suffered for a long time under the oppression and fear of Mugabe. He must go now. As for all those corrupt people and police officers who were stealing, we hope the new government will deal with these people so that we have a better Zimbabwe,” said one young protestor.
“People are happy and excited about the change that is coming. We are in solidarity with those who made the move for change and Zimbabwe will never be the same again,” added another
Mugabe’s wife Grace, who had harboured ambitions of succeeding Mugabe, was also expelled from the party.
Mugabe’s demise has sent shockwaves through the continent where a number of entrenched strongmen including Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo face mounting pressure to step aside.
Source: Euronews