Emmerson Mnangagwa is returning to replace the outgoing president who resigned on Tuesday, prompting jubilation on the streets.
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| Zimbabweans celebrate in the morning sun after President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare |
· Zimbabwe's former vice president is due to return home to be sworn in as president after the resignation of Robert Mugabe.
Emmerson
Mnangagwa was sacked two weeks ago by Mr Mugabe - a move that plunged the
country into a political crisis and eventually led to the dictator's
resignation after 37 years in power.
One
of Mr Mnangagwa's assistants, Larry Mavhima said: "Comrade Mnangagwa is coming back today."
He
was expected to land in Zimbabwe at 4pm UK time and be sworn in on Friday,
according to the country's state broadcaster.
Wild
celebrations continued on the streets of Zimbabwe overnight, with people
dancing and singing following Mr Mugabe's departure.
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| The end of Mugabe's reign sparked parties in the streets |
"Welcome to the new Zimbabwe!" people chanted outside the Harare conference centre where MPs had earlier met to start impeachment proceedings.
"This is the best day of my life," said one man, as people
celebrated on cars and crowded round tanks to shake hands with the soldiers
lauded for their role in getting rid of the reviled leader.
"We didn't fight the 1980 war but we fought
the 2017 war and we are happy that Mugabe is gone and he's gone for good. Happy
new Zimbabwe," said another Harare resident.
Zimbabweans
in other countries also celebrated the downfall of their long-time leader.
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| Zimbabweans living in Johannesburg, South Africa, also celebrated |
A crowd gathered outside the country's embassy in London, with people jumping up and down, waving flags and talking of "national joy" and a new hope.
Zimbabweans
living in South Africa took to the streets of Johannesburg and some were
pictured burning shirts of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Mr
Mugabe announced his resignation with immediate effect on Tuesday afternoon.
The
93-year-old said he had chosen to step down "to
ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power", and that
he had made the decision voluntarily.
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| 'I nearly collapsed through excitement' |
The
African Union (AU) also welcomed the decision, saying the people had expressed
their will for a "peaceful transfer
of power."
AU
commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he welcomed "the decision by President Robert
Mugabe to step down from his position as Head of State following a lifetime of
service to the Zimbabwean nation".
US
secretary of state Rex Tillerson said Zimbabwe had "an extraordinary opportunity to set itself on a new path",
while British PM Theresa May said it could "forge
a new path free of the oppression that characterised (Mugabe's) rule".
China,
which became a major political and economic partner of Mr Mugabe's regime as it
was shunned by the west, said it respected his decision and would continue to
be a friend of both the former president and Zimbabwe.
Mr
Mnangagwa told NewsDay: "I want to congratulate
the people of Zimbabwe on reaching this historic moment.
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| :Mugabe's portrait is removed from a wall in Harare's International Conference centre |
"Together, we will ensure a peaceful
transition to the consolidation of our democracy, and bring in a fresh start
for all Zimbabweans and foster peace and unity."
Earlier this month, Mr Mugabe sparked the political crisis which
ended his dictatorship by sacking Mr Mnangagwa - paving the way for his wife
Grace to succeed him.
Military
chiefs reacted by taking control of the capital, seizing the state broadcaster
and placing Mr Mugabe under house arrest.
The
ruler initially refused to stand down and told Zimbabweans in a televised
address they must "learn to
forgive".
But
he was forced to face impeachment proceedings amid claims he allowed his wife "to usurp constitutional power" and
had been seen "sleeping in cabinet
and international meetings" - bringing "horror and shame" to Zimbabweans.
It
is not clear what Robert and Grace Mugabe will do now.
Mr
Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe since 1980 and his departure leaves the Queen as the
world's oldest head of state.
Under
his presidency, the southern African country's economy collapsed and
unemployment rose to more than 90%.
The 93-year-old has been
accused of a range of human rights abuses, including denying food aid to areas
supporting the opposition.
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