Zimbabwe's leaders should implement much-needed political reforms: US
Zimbabwe celebrates as Mugabe steps down
The US administration relieved at the smooth transfer of power after a week of turmoil called it an "extraordinary opportunity"
The US "congratulated all who raised their voices" against Robert Mugabe's regime as the Zimbabwe leader stepped down as president on Tuesday.
The US administration relieved at the smooth transfer of power after a week of turmoil called it an "extraordinary opportunity for Zimbabwe to set a new path."
Parliament speaker had read out a letter written by Robert Mugabe stating was resigning with "immediate effect"bringing an abrupt end to his 37-year rule.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said: "With the resignation of Robert Mugabe, today marks a historic moment for Zimbabwe, we congratulate all Zimbabweans who raised their voices and stated peacefully and clearly that the time for change was overdue."
"Zimbabwe has an extraordinary opportunity to set itself on a new path," the US secretary of state added.
"The United States strongly supports a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe," he said, adding,"As events unfold, we continue to call on all parties to exercise restraint and respect constitutional and civilian order," he maintained.
"We urge Zimbabwe's leaders to implement much-needed political and economic reforms for a more stable and promising future for the Zimbabwean people," Tillerson said
"Whatever short-term arrangements the government may establish, the path forward must lead to free and fair elections. The people of Zimbabwe must choose their own leaders," the US secretary of state concluded.
People on the streetcheered after the announcement in Parliament of Mugabe's resignation, in a week marked with scenes of tanks and armoured vehicles moving around Harare and uncertainty over Mugabe's next move as he refused to fade away.
WithMugabe's exit, vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa who flew into the country last week after being removed by Mugabe earlier is expected take over the reins of government with several other anti-Mugabe leadersset to come back.
"I believe that the fired vice president Mnangagwa, who the party central committee endorsed... will come back in the next 24 hours or so and he will be the one who will be sworn in to be president for 90 days," said ZANU-PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo.