VIDEO: Cheers in parliament as Robert Mugabe resigns presidency of Zimbabwe

ROBERT MUGABE, President of Zimbabwe, has resigned.

The 93-year-old had been the country’s leader for 37 years.

There were cheers in the nation’s parliament, where a debate on Mugabe’s impeachment was taking place, as speaker Jacob Mudenda made the announcement.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has resigned, speaker of Zimbabwe parliament announces as chamber erupts in cheers. pic.twitter.com/EEvhz7LAD3

— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) November 21, 2017

It is an extraordinary end for the world’s oldest head of state.

Mr Mugabe said he is resigning immediately and voluntarily in order to have a “smooth transfer of power” .

The resignation comes at the end of a week of events that began with the military moving in last week, angered by Mr Mugabe’s firing of his longtime deputy and the positioning of the unpopular first lady to succeed him.

"I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe hereby formally tender my resignation as President": The #Zimbabwe leader steps down https://t.co/XQGzVNtJRq pic.twitter.com/bUbbraqwI6

— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 21, 2017

Impeachment allegations against Mr Mugabe included that he “allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power” and that he is “of advanced age” and too incapacitated to rule.

Mr Mugabe was also accused of allowing unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe to threaten to kill the recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other officials.

On the news of Mr Mugabe’s resignation, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said it would allow an “opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule.”

Mrs May said: “In recent days we have seen the desire of the Zimbabwean people for free and fair elections and the opportunity to rebuild the country’s economy under a legitimate government.

“As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend, we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.”