Zimbabwe live: Robert Mugabe resigns as President after Parliament begin impeachment process
Follow the latest updates live
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Zimbabwe's President of 37 years Robert Mugabe has resigned.
In a letter, Mr Mugabe said the decision was voluntary, but he did not attempt to name a successor.
The surprise move brought impeachment procedures, which had begun following a rambling speech on Sunday night, to a halt.
"We are here because we want to be part of this very important occasion in the history of this country," said Harare resident Samuel Wadzai.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the crowd outside Parliament that a "democratic Zimbabwe cannot be built by another un-democratic process."
Mr Tsvangirai said the culture of the ruling party "must end" and everyone must put their heads together and work toward free and fair elections.
Welcome to The Independent's live blog on the moves to impeach Robert Mugabe and remove him as President of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's ruling party has made a motion to impeach President Robert Mugabe and opposition party MDC has seconded it.
Now lawmakers from both houses of Parliament are relocating to a larger venue.
Mugabe is accused of allowing his wife to "usurp" power and of being too old to rule. He has been in charge since the end of white minority rule in 1980, but the military moved in last week after he fired his deputy and appeared to position his unpopular wife to succeed him.
It is not clear how long impeachment would take, though the ruling party has said it could vote Mugabe out as early as Wednesday.
South Africa's state-run broadcaster reports that the presidents of South Africa and Angola will travel to Zimbabwe on Wednesday to meet with "stakeholders" in the political crisis, including President Robert Mugabe and the military.
Zimbabwe's Parliament has begun impeachment proceedings against Mugabe, who is accused of allowing his wife to "usurp" power and of being too old to rule.
It is not clear how long impeachment would take, though the ruling party has said it could vote Mugabe out as early as Wednesday.
South Africa, Angola and two other regional countries held a summit on the crisis Tuesday in Angola.
Zimbabwe's Parliament members are cheering as they listen to allegations against President Robert Mugabe as they enter the next stage of the impeachment process.
Parliament is now forming a committee to investigate the allegations against Mugabe, including that he "allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power" and that he is "of advanced age."
Mugabe also is accused of allowing unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe to threaten to kill the recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other officials.
In addition, "we have seen the president sleeping in Cabinet and international meetings to the horror, shame and consternation of Zimbabweans."
The impeachment motion was introduced by the ruling party and seconded by the opposition MDC. It is not clear how long the process will take.
BREAKING: Mugabe has resigned, the speaker of Zimbabwe's Parliament has said. He said he had received a letter from the 93-year-old dictator.
More updates are coming in on Mugabe's resignation. He is quoted as saying he is standing down to ensure a smooth transition of power and the decision was "voluntary"
The sound of car horns can be heard blaring from the streets of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, as news of Mugabe's resignation spreads. Mugabe's days had been numbered since the army first moved to takeover last week, but there is relief that he has decided to step down rather than wait for the impeachment process to play out.
Mugabe's letter was read out in a cheering, dancing Parliament, which had been pursuing impeachment of the 93-year-old Mr Mugabe.
The resignation comes at the end of a week of events that began with the military moving in last week, angered by his firing of his longtime deputy and the positioning of the unpopular first lady to succeed him.
Impeachment allegations against Mugabe included that he "allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power" and that he is "of advanced age" and too incapacitated to rule.
Mugabe was also accused of allowing unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe to threaten to kill the recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other officials.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments