Robert Mugabe is ending his nearly four-decade reign over Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe, Africa’s longest ruling dictator allegedly, is set to end his 37-year grip of Zimbabwe on Sunday following a week of upheaval in the nation.
According to AP, the 93-year-old leader will sources said will announce his resignation in a pre-taped televised address.
President Mugabe’s announcement comes hours after the Central Committee of ZANU-PF Central Committee, Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ousted the longtime president as its leader.
The committee gave Mugabe until noon Monday to resign, else parliament would begin the impeachment process. Members of ZANU-PF reportedly, broke out in dance following the party’s decision to unseat Mugabe from power.
The former teacher, who gained national prominence as a freedom fighter, has remained in power since the former Rhodesia gained independence from Britain  in 1980.

Robert Mugabe made his first public appearance at a graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Harare, Friday

Mugabe’s 37 years atop the southern African nation appeared to end earlier this week as soldiers prevented him performing official duties and began arresting his allies after the military seized control of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Mugabe and his family have been under house arrest for nearly a week,
On Friday the embattled leader  emerged from his home for the first time since the military took over his country, receiving cheers as he attended a graduation at a university ceremony in the capital of Harare where tanks have been rolling through the streets.

Erstwhile dismissed of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, emerged as likely successor to Robert Mugabe, after Tuesday’s military intervention

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Mugabe the one time freedom struggle champion,  morphed into a brutal repressive ruler after he helped lead the country to independence in 1980.
Cognizant that the 93-year-old still enjoys respect in parts of his country, military officials spearheading the changeover, have explained its takeover of the country by saying that it was going after criminals around the longtime leader, who was still introduced as president on Friday.
He has reportedly, spent his time in confinement negotiating the terms of his resignation.
Former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, also known as “The Crocodile,” will likely become Zimbabwe’s new leader  when he is formally elected head of the party in December.
Mnangagwa was was fired earlier this month, in what observers saw as a power play, paving the way for first lady Grace Mugabe to succeed the 93-year-old leader
With the new development Mnangagwa emerged as the only candidate after the military took control last Tuesday.

Military presence at the city center in Harare, Zimbabwe Wednesday morning after a ‘bloodless correction’ of power

General Constantino Chiwenga, head of the armed forces had openly threatened to intervene in politics if Mugabe did not stop removing veterans from government. Tuesday he made good on his threat

Grace Mugabe, his second wife who was widely reviled in Zimbabwe, was positioned to take control of the country from her husband, who once vowed to rule until death.
Military brass seized control of state-run TV, assuring the public order was restored to Zimbabwe and bad influencers around Mugabe were removed. Grace Mugabe we also expelled from the nation.
ZANU-PF has also accused her of “preaching hate, divisiveness and assuming roles and powers not delegated to the office,” and has removed her from its women’s league.
Mugabe accused Mnangagwa of plotting to wrest control of Zimbabwe away from him — going as far as consulting with witch doctors.
His firing incised leaders, prompting the military to move in and place Mugabe under house arrest Tuesday.
Since then, he’s been seen meeting at his state residence with military leaders. Mugabe has reportedly spent the time negotiating and unsuccessfully stalling his departure from power.

 President Robert Mugabe  watches as his wife Grace cuts one of his birthday cakes in Masvingo at a massive celebration for his 92nd birthday, in 2016

Mugabe was integral in the revolution that saw Zimbabwe gain its independence, ousting the white leadership of what was then called “Rhodesia.”
He first became prime minister in 1980, and held the post until he became President in 1987.
Until Sunday, Mugabe was the oldest leader in the world at 93 years old. Queen Elizabeth II, 91, is now the oldest head of state.