It is the end of a very long reign for Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe (picture), who submitted his resignation letter to the National Assembly this Tuesday. Indeed, the leader was at the head of the country since 1980, 37 years overall.

“I Robert Gabriel Mugabe here by formally tender my resignation with immediate effect. 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,” the President said in the letter which was read out by the Parliament’s president, Jacob Mudenda, in front of a euphoric crowd.

The oldest leader in exercise resigned after he was abandoned by all. Truly, after the eviction last November 15 of his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the 93-year old president was pressured by the population, the army and his own party (Zanu-PF) to step down. He was blamed of “allowing his wife to usurp constitutional power” and of no longer having “the physical capacity to run government”.

If for now, the streets of Harare are buzzing with joy, this is very likely to be short since the old lion left the country in a situation of economic crisis which will have to be dealt with. Indeed, GDP growth which was already quite low in 2015 (1.1%) has slowed down more to 0.5% in 2016.

Louis-Nino Kansoun