In pictures: Joy unleashed on Harare streets as Mugabe resigns

Car horns blared and cheering crowds waving the national flag thronged the streets of Zimbabwe's capital.

AFP Published November 22, 2017

After a week of political turmoil, Zimbabweans reacted with shock, disbelief and delight at news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned after 37 years in power.

The announcement of Mugabe's resignation had come after days of mounting pressure on the 93-year-old leader, whose long and authoritarian rule made many citizens fearful of him.

On Tuesday, after the news broke, car horns blared and cheering crowds, waving the national flag, thronged the streets of Zimbabwe's capital Harare.

“We are just so happy that things are finally going to change,” Togo Ndhlalambi, 32, a hairdresser, told AFP.

“We woke up every morning waiting for this day. This country has been through tough times.”

A man reads the editorial pages in a local newspaper in Harare on November 22, 2017, the day after the resignation of President Robert Mugabe who ruled for 37 years. —AFP

“We need leaders who are selected by the people and not rulers. I am looking forward to get a job after our economy recovers.” —AFP

A man wearing the national flag celebrates in the streets after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe. —AFP

Zimbabweans drink, sing, and dance on top of passing vehicles as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe. —AP

A Zimbabwean national burns a shirt of Zimbabwe's ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF), as hundreds of Zimbabweans living in South Africa celebrate the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe in the streets of the district of Hillbrow in Johannesburg. —AFP

Zimbabwean soldiers are congratulated by citizens in the streets in Harare, on November 21, 2017 after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe. —AFP

Zimbabwean nationals burn a shirt of Zimbabwe's ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF). —AFP

People celebrate in the streets of Harare, after Mugabe's resignation. —AFP

People celebrate in the streets of Harare, after Mugabe's resignation. “It's shocking, that guy (was) powerful, very powerful,” said Barber Wright Chirombe, one of those who joined the euphoric street celebrations. —AFP

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Comments (4) Closed

Zalmay

Nov 22, 2017 06:21pm

That's what happens when you overstay your welcome. Good riddance

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Understanding Politics

Nov 22, 2017 10:56pm

Identical celebrations yet to come on Pakistani cities, let the cases complete .

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alba

Nov 23, 2017 01:28am

@Understanding Politics ... ... Pakistan is something new. That is for sure. Time to reshuffle a stacked deck.

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Right

Nov 23, 2017 10:22pm

Mugabe was an elected leader throughout his rule. Few people dancing and clapping doesn't mean that overall population was against him. But he was too old to rule and this was the reason for his removal. Every nation if want independence then they need to give sacrifices. Zimbabwe was a pure British colony and it's strong economy had very little or no benefit for its original black people. Mugabe freed up his nation even with most intense European sanctions which was his most remarkable work.

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