harare robert mugabe resign zimbabwe president tuesday week army former political ally move end four decades rule man fete independence hero become fear despot former vice president emmerson mnangagwa whose sack month prompt military takeover force mugabe swear president wednesday thursday patrick chinamasa legal secretary rule zanu-pf party tell reuters 93-year-old mugabe cling week army takeover zanu-pf urge go finally resign moments parliament begin impeachment process see legal way force wild celebrations break joint sit parliament speaker jacob mudenda read mugabe brief resignation letter mugabe confine harare residence appear people dance streets harare car horn blare news era mugabe lead zimbabwe since independence 1980 finally brandish posters mnangagwa army chief general constantino chiwenga workers turn christmas light early africa unity square people climb aboard armor vehicles pose photograph soldier despite public outpouring joy mugabe downfall much result in-fighting among political elite popular uprise although thousands people rally days army intervene last week army seize power mugabe sack mnangagwa zanu-pf favorite succeed bid smooth path presidency wife grace 52 know critics gucci grace repute fondness luxury shop since crisis begin mugabe mainly confine blue roof mansion capital grace also believe zanu-pf chief whip lovemore matuke tell reuters mnangagwa would swear within 48 hours serve remainder mugabe term next election must hold september 2018. happy happen say maria sabawu supporter opposition movement democratic change mdc outside hotel impeachment process happen suffer lot hand mugabe government say show hand miss finger say lose violence presidential run-off election mugabe opposition leader morgan tsvangirai 2008. mugabe lead zimbabwe since guerrilla struggle end white-minority rule country formerly know rhodesia take once-rich nation economic ruin preside force takeover white-owned farm end century devastate agricultural foreign exchange earn lead hyperinflation brandish anti-colonial credentials style grand old man african politics mugabe retain admiration many people across continent amnesty international say mugabe tens thousands people torture forcibly disappear kill culture impunity allow grotesque crimes thrive people zimbabwe deserve good next generation leaders must commit uphold constitution live zimbabwe international human right obligations treat people dignity justice right group say statement mnangagwa 75 flee zimbabwe sack fear safety chief lieutenant mugabe decades stand accuse participate repression internal security chief mid-1980s mugabe deploy north korean-trained brigade rebel 20,000 civilians kill accord right group reuters report september mnangagwa plot succeed mugabe army back helm broad coalition seek zimbabwe re-engagement world decades isolation global lenders donors nickname ngwena crocodile shona language animal famed zimbabwean lore stealth ruthlessness mnangagwa issue statement hide tuesday call zimbabweans unite rebuild country opposition politician former education minister david coltart say call give hope lift shatter economy knees provide mnangagwa make good promise reach factions wake hangovers tomorrow remind dreadful state nation money bank businesses collapse coltart tell reuters emmerson mnangagwa say zanu-pf capable resolve issue take comfort word translate action future positive zimbabwe platform concern citizens civil society group call national dialogue transitional authority decide country future theresa may prime minister former colonial power britain say mugabe resignation provide zimbabwe opportunity forge new path free oppression characterize rule say britain zimbabwe old friend would could support country u.s. embassy harare say zimbabwe live historic moment whatever short-term arrangements government may establish path forward must lead free fair inclusive elections say statement zimbabwe 's mugabe resign end four decades rule