Protesters march toward Mugabe’s compound in Zimbabwe

Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday to celebrate the end of longtime President Robert Mugabe’s rule at the hands of the nation’s military.

Opponents of the Mugabe regime told Reuters that they were overjoyed to be “free at last” from Mugabe’s rule. A military coup ousted the leader last week after the aging president dismissed his top deputy and indicated that he would transfer power to his wife, Grace Mugabe.

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“These are tears of joy,” one Harare resident told Reuters. “I’ve been waiting all my life for this day. Free at last. We are free at last.”

“I am happy today because Bob Mugabe is about to go. He must go. At least if he goes, we’ll have a change of president after so many years of injustice,” said another.

Thousands of demonstrators marched on the compound where Mugabe and his wife are holed up after the military seized power earlier this week.

Grace Mugabe is extremely unpopular at home, with her lavish lifestyle earning her the nickname “Gucci Grace” among locals, Reuters reported.

Robert Mugabe’s condition is described as “good,” and the couple has made no indication they will seek to legitimize the military’s takeover, his nephew told Reuters.

Mugabe’s future in Zimbabwe is so far unclear. He has lost the support of the majority of his party ZANU-PF, according to state media. But one source in ZANU-PF told Reuters his rule could officially come to an end as soon as next Tuesday.

“If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday,” the source said. “When that is done, it’s impeachment on Tuesday.”