Robert Mugabe has resigned as president after 37 years and after coming under huge pressure to step down

These were scenes of jubilation in Zimbabwe's parliament as the announcement was made this afternoon that Robert Mugabe had finally resigned after 37 years

Dictator Robert Mugabe has finally resigned today, ending his 37-year rule of Zimbabwe after the country's ousted vice president - dubbed 'The Crocodile' - ordered him to quit.

Zimbabwe's parliament erupted in wild celebrations as the announcement was made that the 93-year-old had resigned 'with immediate effect'.

Zanu-PF officials said former vice president Emmerson 'The Crocodile' Mnangagwa would take over by tomorrow. The Parliament's leader said he was working on legal issues to appoint a new president within 48 hours.

Mugabe had been accused of allowing his wife Grace, 52, to 'usurp' power and of being too old to rule. It is not clear what will now happen to his loathed wife, dubbed Gucci Grace for her lavish spending, who has not been seen since she and her husband were held under house arrest last week.

However, it is thought Mugabe has spent considerable time thrashing out immunity for him and his family. It is not known whether he will be allowed to retire to one of his many plush homes or forced out of the country.

There were scenes of jubilation on the streets as the world's oldest head of state caved in to pressure and ended a near four decades grip on power defined by brutality and economic collapse. Whites and blacks united in joy as cars honked their horns, flags flew and lorries full of revellers roared through the streets.

Zimbabwe's former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai said this afternoon: 'We need to sit down and redefine a new chapter'.

The origin of Mugabe's sudden downfall lies in rivalry between members of Zimbabwe's ruling elite over who will succeed him, rather than popular protests against his rule.

The army seized power after Mugabe sacked Mnangagwa, the ruling party's favourite to succeed him, to smooth a path to the presidency for his wife. It comes after Mnangagwa warned Mugabe to respect public opinion and step down after claiming there was a plot to 'eliminate' him.


+59There were scenes of jubilation on the streets as the world's oldest head of state caved in to pressure and ended a near four decades grip on power defined by brutality and economic collapse