President Robert Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path, British Prime Minister Theresa May said, adding that Britain would support the country to achieve a better future.
“The resignation of Robert Mugabe provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule. In recent days we have seen the desire of the Zimbabwean people for free and fair elections and the opportunity to rebuild the country’s economy under a legitimate government,” May said in a short statement.
“As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Zimbabwean Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced Mugabe’s resignation when the two Houses of Parliament — Upper and Lower — were seated at the Harare International Conference Centre in the capital, moving a motion to impeach Mugabe.
He said he had received a letter from the President, bringing the impeachment process to halt.
The 93-year-old Mugabe has been president of Zimbabwe for 37 years since the country attained independence from colonial rule in 1980.
On November 14, the Zimbabwean military took charge of the country when tanks rolled into the capital. Early Wednesday morning, the army seized control of state television ZBC and said it was acting against “criminals” surrounding Mugabe, but they insisted their actions were not a coup.
– African News Agency (ANA)
