Things to catch up as Zimbabwe's Mugabe quits

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‍Robert Mugabe resigned as Zimbabwe's president on Tuesday, a week after the army and his former political allies moved to end his four-decade rule.

The former vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose sacking this month prompted the military takeover that forced Mugabe out, will be sworn in as president on Wednesday or Thursday, Patrick Chinamasa, legal secretary of the ruling ZANU-PF party, said.

Here's a timeline of the political drama that shocks Zimbabweans and the world.

CGTN Photo

What now after Mugabe resignation?

Robert Mugabe resigned on Tuesday, finally swept from power as his 37-year rule crumbled within days of a military takeover. The move looks set to end Zimbabwe's worst political crisis since it won independence from Britain in 1980.

Speaker Jacob Mudenda made the announcement at a special joint session of parliament which had convened to impeach the 93-year-old who has dominated every aspect of Zimbabwean public life for decades.

Jacob Mudenda, speaker of Zimbabwe's parliament, is reading Mugabe's letter in Harare, November 21, 2017. /Reuters Photo

On the streets, the news sparked an explosion of wild celebration. Car horns honked and people erupted into ecstatic cheers and frenzied dancing.

"I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe hereby formally tender my resignation... with immediate effect," said the letter which was read out by the parliamentary speaker.

"My decision to resign is voluntary on my part. It arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire to ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power that underpins national security, peace and stability."

Mnangagwa to sworn in as acting president

In a highly-symbolic scene, a man removed a portrait of Mugabe from a room inside the parliament where MPs were gathering for an extraordinary session to impeach the recalcitrant president.

File photo of former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa /Reuters Photo

Another bystander replaced it with an image of former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose dismissal on November 6 triggered the crisis.

Derek Matyszak, an Africa expert at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies said the acting president is only supposed to be there for an interim period, while they wait for (the ruling) ZANU-PF to nominate a replacement for Mugabe – but they have already nominated Mnangagwa as their choice for elections in 2018.

What of the opposition?

"What the opposition should be doing is to use this moment to try and mobilize and lobby for the introduction of a more democratic dispensation," said Matyszak.

In his first remarks since the military takeover, Mnangagwa had on Tuesday appeared to make overtures to the opposition, he said.

"Mnangagwa's statement did mention that he is prepared to reach out to the opposition."

And the economy?

A currency dealer counts wads of bond notes outside a bank in Harare, February 24, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"The new leader needs to present a friendly face to the international community. The country is on the brink of an economic meltdown. If that meltdown occurs, the military won't get paid, and you will have a possibility of another coup," said Matyszak. "A lot needs to be done and done very quickly."

Where's Grace Mugabe?

Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe /Reuters Photo

Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe, who many feared would replace Mnangagwa and even succeed her husband, has disappeared from view since November 15.

The 52-year-old former first lady was born in South Africa in 1965. She married to 72-year-old Mugabe at the age of 31.

In 2014, she was appointed to president of the ruling ZANU-PF party's powerful Women's League and a member of its central committee, placing her high among the contenders to succeed her husband.

Earlier this month, Robert Mugabe fired then vice president Mnangagwa, a move widely seen intended to open the way for Grace Mugabe's succession.

What does it to China?

After Mugabe's house arrest, Beijing said it is closely watching the political situation in Zimbabwe and that the "friendly cooperation" policy will not change.

"The friendly cooperation between China and Zimbabwe is an all-around one and beneficial to the peoples in both countries. China's friendly policy towards Zimbabwe will not change," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in the daily news briefing.

Ousted Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends a university graduation ceremony in Harare, November 17, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Geng said China always build bilateral ties "under the principle of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation."

"We hope Zimbabwe could maintain political stability and the relevant issues be resolved peacefully and properly," he added.

China and Zimbabwe have close economic ties. China is Zimbabwe's fourth largest trading partner.

Last year, trade between the two countries reached 1.1 billion US dollars. China has become the biggest buyer of Zimbabwean tobacco. Zimbabwe imports mostly electronics, clothes and other finished goods from China.

China is also the largest investor of the African country. In August, Zimbabwe’s government said a Chinese company planned to invest up to 2 billion US dollars to revive operations at Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO).

World reactions

People queue to withdraw money from a bank in Harare, March 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Britain

The former colonial ruler greeted news of Mugabe's departure with an offer of support as "Zimbabwe's oldest friend." Prime Minister Theresa May said: "The resignation of Robert Mugabe provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterized his rule."

United States

The United States had been calling on all sides to show restraint. A US State Department spokeswoman called it "a historic opportunity, a historic moment for the people of Zimbabwe... to put an end to Zimbabwe isolation" adding that "the future of Zimbabwe will have to be decided by the people of Zimbabwe."

France

France called for a peaceful transfer of power. Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: "We welcome this decision (by Mugabe) which must open the way for a peaceful political transition, respecting the legitimate aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe."