Homophobic dictator Robert Mugabe has resigned, says speaker of Parliament

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addresses party members and supporters gathered at his party headquarters to show support to Grace Mugabe becoming the party's next Vice President after the dismissal of Emerson Mnangagwa November 8 2017. Zimbabwe's sacked vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, said on November 8, 2017, he had fled the country, as he issued a direct challenge to long-ruling President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA (Photo credit should read JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

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.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends a meeting with the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Associatioin on April 7, 2016 in Harare. / AFP PHOTO / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA        (Photo credit should read JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

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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.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Zimbabwe's President Robert Gabriel Mugabe addresses the U.N. General Assembly at the United Nations on September 21, 2017 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)

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“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.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe delivers a speech during a graduation ceremony at the Zimbabwe Open University in Harare, where he presides as the Chancellor on November 17 2017.  Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe attended a university graduation ceremony today, making a defiant first public appearance since the military takeover that appeared to signal the end of his 37-year reign. / AFP PHOTO / -        (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

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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.

During his 2013 inauguration address, Mugabe urged young Zimbabweans to “damn” homosexuality, calling it a “white disease”.

He added: “That [homosexuality] destroys nations, apart from it being a filthy, filthy disease.”

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe speaks at the party's annual conference on December 17, 2016 in Masvingo. Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party's congress endorsed on December 17, 2016 President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2018 election, which could extend his 36 years in office. The leader was endorsed by all party structures at the meeting held in Masvingo, 300 kilometres (186 miles) southeast of the capital Harare. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA        (Photo credit should read JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

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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.

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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.

Zimbabwes President Robert Gabriel Mugabe addresses the 72nd Session of the United Nations General assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September 21, 2017. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

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.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe delivers a speech during the Zimbabwe ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) youth interface Rally on November 4, 2017 in Bulawayo. / AFP PHOTO / ZINYANGE AUNTONY (Photo credit should read ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP/Getty Images)

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“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.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe looks on as he attends the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe binational Commission (BNC) on October 3, 2017 at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.  / AFP PHOTO / Phill Magakoe        (Photo credit should read PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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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.