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Robert Mugabe resigns after 37 years as Zimbabwe's leader

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe resigns after 37 years in charge
<p>Any party that costs $800,000 will likely turn heads. But when you throw the party in a country lacking food and water, it will probably get criticism, too. </p><p>That's the case with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, whose 92nd birthday bash came with a hefty price tag, despite the country's drought that's considered a "state of disaster."</p><p>In a speech during the celebration, he said the government would continue to work to resolve the food shortage. </p><p>Mugabe, dubbed the world's oldest leader, has been Zimbabwe's president for the past 36 years and is known for residing during Zimbabwe's independence from Britain. </p><p>But some blame him for the food crisis, tying it to the economy, which took a major hit while he was in office. Only 25 percent of one of the country's main food products — maize — survived this season because of little water. </p><p>The country has been offered aid, but Mugabe is adamant on not taking donations from pro-gay rights countries. </p><p>As he gets older, people are looking for who will replace him as head of state — like his vice president. Or who knows, maybe one of the hundreds of thousands of other guests at the party. </p><p><i>This video includes clips from </i><i><a href="http://www.wfp.org/videos/el-nino-2015-could-be-most-severe-record-wfp-warns-it-may-cause-widespread-global-hunger-medi" target="_blank">World Food Programme</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35678245" target="_blank">BBC</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6P74UAmZEU" target="_blank">Channels TV</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM-ZyzLzVzw" target="_blank">Africa News Network</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM-ZyzLzVzw" target="_blank">Deustche Welle</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upjpdV5yvx4" target="_blank">CNN</a></i><i> and </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbMu0ivkcc" target="_blank">CCTV Africa</a></i><i>. </i></p>
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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has resigned, the speaker of the country's Parliament said, bringing an end to his 37 years of rule.

The announcement came as Parliament began proceedings to impeach him, six days after the military seized control in the capital, Harare.

Mugabe's resignation marks the an end of an era in Zimbabwe -- he ruled the country with an iron fist for almost four decades and is the only leader the nation has known since it achieved independence from Britain in 1980.

Mugabe had clung onto power for the past week.

Members of parliament erupted in cheers and applause as the news emerged.