Robert Mugabe has Tuesday evening (November 21, 2017) officially announced his resignation as Zimbabwean President to allow a “smooth transition of power”, a decision he made voluntarily.

The 93-year-old has been the President for 37 years ever since Zimbabwe got independence in 1980.

“I Robert Gabriel Mugabe hereby formally tender my resignation as President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect,” Mugabe said in his official resignation statement.

“My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power,” he also said, in a letter that was read out in the Zimbabwe Parliament.

The announcement came hours after Zimbabwe’s parliament had began impeachment process against Mugabe.

It will be remembered that Mugabe had held on to power despite the army takeover last week, until he announced his resignation on Tuesday.

The announcement has been welcomed by massive jubilation by thousands of Zimbabweans in the city Harare and other towns.