Robert Mugabe has officially resigned from his position as President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect, ending his 37 years grip on power.
In his letter read by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda during a parliamentary session to impeach him, Mugabe cited section 96(1) which lays out terms for the resignation of President.
“Following my verbal communication with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda… intimating my intention to resign as the President of Zimbabwe in terms of Section 96(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, I Robert Gabriel Mugabe in terms of Section 96(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe hereby tender my resignation as President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect,” read Mugabe’s letter.
Section 96(1) reads, “the President may resign his or her office by written notice to the Speaker, who must give public notice of the resignation as soon as it is possible to do so and in any event within twenty-four hours.”
Following the resignation of a sitting President, the first Vice President assumes the position of President.
Section 101 Succession in event of death, resignation or incapacity of President or Vice President
(1) If the President dies, resigns or is removed from office—
(a) the first Vice-President assumes office as President until the expiry of the former President’s term of office;
(b) the second Vice-President assumes office as first Vice-President until the expiry of the former President’s term of office; and
(c) upon assuming office as President, the former first Vice-President must appoint a qualified person to be second Vice-President until the expiry of the former President’s term of office.
(2) If the first Vice-President dies, resigns or is removed from office—
(a) the second vice-President assumes office as first Vice-President until the expiry of the former first Vice-President’s term of office; and
(b) the President must without delay appoint a qualified person to be second Vice President until the expiry of the former first Vice-President’s term of office.
