Mugabe 'knew it was game over days before he quit'

The Catholic priest who mediated talks leading to the ouster of Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe says the leader knew it was "the end of the road" days before he quit, and appeared relieved when he signed his resignation letter after 37 years in power.

Fidelis Mukonori, who has known Mugabe for decades, tells The Associated Press that Mugabe, under immense pressure in his final days as president, wanted a gradual and "smooth" transition of power to Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice president he had recently fired and who is now Zimbabwe's new leader.

Mukoroni says in an interview that Mugabe had to resort to "Plan B" - an immediate resignation - after Mnangagwa did not return from exile in South Africa at Mugabe's request.