Harare (August 26, 2018): Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as president of Zimbabwe on Sunday after winning a bitterly-contested election which was the country´s first since the ousting of strongman Robert Mugabe.
While addressing a ceremony in Harare, Mnangagwa pledged to “protect and promote the rights of Zimbabweans.” The newly-minted leader on Sunday hailed his victory as a new “dawn” for Zimbabwe after years of repression and economic mismanagement which left the country burdened by shattered public services, mass poverty and unemployment.
“We must now focus on addressing the economic challenges facing our nation,” he said. “We are all Zimbabweans, what unites us is greater than what could ever divide us.
Since independence from Britain in 1980, Zimbabwe has known only two presidents — Mugabe, who ruled with an iron fist for 37 years, and his erstwhile right-hand man Mnangagwa.
Nicknamed “The Crocodile”, Mnangagwa was appointed after Mugabe was forced out by the military in November last year.
But his promises of reform and pledges to entice back investors were marred by the army opening fire on protesters, killing six shortly after the poll, as well as allegations of vote-rigging and a violent crackdown on opposition activists.
At the inauguration, Mnangagwa vowed to open a probe into the violence, which he called “regrettable and most unacceptable”.
Supporters, many wearing caps and T-shirts emblazoned with Mnangagwa´s image, filed into the stadium on Sunday under banners proclaiming “Celebrating a new Zimbabwe” and “Unity takes us forward, peace keeps us going.”
Mugabe did not attend the swearing-in but was represented by his daughter Bonu, who had previously called Mnangagwa a “traitor” after her father´s ousting.
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