Homophobic dictator Robert Mugabe has resigned, says speaker of Parliament
Anti-gay leader Robert Mugabe has resigned from power, according to the speaker of Zimbabwe’s Parliament.
Mugabe, 93, was forced to step down as leader of his own Zanu-PF party days ago, and faced impeachment as proceedings began today.
He was expected to resign on Sunday during an hours-long speech, but his resignation letter – which CNN reported was drafted yesterday – has now been received by Speaker Jacob Mudenda.
Lawmakers reportedly shouted in delight at the announcement, which has prompted excited masses to take to the streets in celebration.
The country’s military took charge on Wednesday, seeking the dictator’s removal from office.
According to reports, Mugabe has agreed a deal which includes full immunity for him and his wife Grace, whose new position as heir apparent in Zanu-PF seems to have sparked the military intervention.
The leader of the country’s war veterans, Chris Mutsvangwa, previously implied that he would set a mob on Mugabe if he failed to step aside.
“We will bring back the crowds and they will do their business,” he said.
Mugabe leaves office after decades of vile statements and policies about LGBT people.
He has presided over a regime that has been accused of corruption and human rights abuses.
Mugabe has been responsible for stirring up homophobic sentiment in the country and defending its anti-LGBT laws.
The leader has previously expressed tacit support for gay people being put to death, and his homophobic actions have been blamed for a worsening HIV crisis in the country.
He added: “That [homosexuality] destroys nations, apart from it being a filthy, filthy disease.”
Ahead of the election, he said that gays should be castrated.
Throughout his election campaign vocal attacks on the country’s gay population were a prominent feature. In one attack he urged for the heads of gay men to be chopped off, and described them as being worse than pigs.
He said: “If you take men and lock them in a house for five years and tell them to come up with two children and they fail to do that, then we will chop off their heads.
“This thing [homosexuality] seeks to destroy our lineage by saying John and John should wed, Maria and Maria should wed.
Imagine this son born out of an African father, [US President Barack] Obama says if you want aid, you should accept the homosexuality practice. Aah, we will never do that.”
He also described homosexuals as worse than animals because pigs “know who to mate with.”
Mugabe recently expressed his admiration for President Trump.
The oppressive Zimbabwe president made the comments ahead of the country’s elections.
Mugabe says people should “give him time” in the hope Trump will lift sanctions on Zimbabwe, and backed his nationalistic agenda.
“Give him time,” he said in an interview aired ahead of his 93rd birthday.
“Mr Trump might even re-look [at] the sanctions on Zimbabwe.”
In 2013, he denounced Archbishop Desmond Tutu for speaking in support of LGBT rights and said his country would “never, never, never” support homosexuality.
He was also not a great fan of President Barack Obama.
Mugabe said of him: “I’ve just concluded since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance, thus if it becomes necessary, I shall travel to Washington, get down on my knee, and ask [Obama’s] hand in marriage.
“I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy.”
Last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reversed a decision to name Mugabe a Goodwill Ambassador after widespread outcry.