Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has resigned, parliament speaker Jacob Mudenda says.

A letter from Mugabe said the decision was voluntary, Reuters news agency reports.

The surprise announcement came as lawmakers debated an impeachment motion against Mugabe in a joint sitting of parliament.

READ ALSO: Dear Zimbabwe: We are sorry

Mugabe had previously refused to resign despite last week’s military takeover, and days of protests.

He has been in power since independence in 1980.

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