African Union reacts to Robert Mugabe’s resignation

The African Union has welcomed the resignation of Robert
Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s president.

Alpha Conde, the president of Guinea and current chairperson of
the AU, hailed Mr. Mugabe as a “great fighter” who should have left
office for a while before now.

“It is a shame that he is leaving through the back door and that
he is forsaken by the parliament,” Mr. Conde said according to the
BBC.

He added that the presidential election in Zimbabwe should be
held in 2018 and that the African Union will offer all its support
to the country.

Mr. Mugabe resigned Tuesday afternoon, a week after
the military intervened in the country’s politics and truncated the
former president’s attempt to install his wife as the next
president.

Mr. Mugabe ruled for 37 years, coming to power immediately after
the country gained independence in 1980.

His resignation was greeted by wild jubilation by Zimbabweans,
who have accused him of worsening the country’s economy during his
autocratic reign.

The African Union has welcomed the resignation of Robert
Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s president.

Alpha Conde, the president of Guinea and current chairperson of
the AU, hailed Mr. Mugabe as a “great fighter” who should have left
office for a while before now.

“It is a shame that he is leaving through the back door and that
he is forsaken by the parliament,” Mr. Conde said according to the
BBC.

He added that the presidential election in Zimbabwe should be
held in 2018 and that the African Union will offer all its support
to the country.

Mr. Mugabe resigned Tuesday afternoon, a week after
the military intervened in the country’s politics and truncated the
former president’s attempt to install his wife as the next
president.

Mr. Mugabe ruled for 37 years, coming to power immediately after
the country gained independence in 1980.

His resignation was greeted by wild jubilation by Zimbabweans,
who have accused him of worsening the country’s economy during his
autocratic reign.