Mnangagwa Sworn In as Zimbabwe’s President

Date: 26 August 2018 - 20:40

News ID: ۵۶۶۷۲

HARARE (Dispatches) -- Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially 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.
Mnangagwa, whose victory in the July 30 polls was challenged by the main opposition, pledged to "protect and promote the rights of Zimbabweans" at an inauguration ceremony attended by thousands of supporters at a stadium in Harare.
"I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe (and) will obey uphold and defend the constitution of Zimbabwe," he said to thunderous applause from a crowd that also included several African heads of state.
"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 for 37 years, and his erstwhile right-hand man Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa was appointed after Mugabe was forced out by the military in November last year.
The newly-minted leader on Sunday hailed his victory as a new "dawn" for Zimbabwe.
But his promises of reform and pledges to entice back investors were marred by the deaths of six shortly after the poll.
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."
"Our country is now going to develop with president Mnangagwa now in charge. Mnangagwa is the right man to lead Zimbabwe to prosperity," said 41-year-old Blessing Muvirimi."We want Zimbabweans to work together."
Mugabe did not attend the swearing-in but was represented by his daughter Bonu.
Mnangagwa of the ruling ZANU-PF party won the election with 50.8% of the vote -- just enough to meet the 50% threshold to avoid a run-off against his main opposition challenger Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%.
International observers said the polls were largely free of the violence which characterized previous votes in Zimbabwe.
The country's top court on Friday dismissed Chamisa's bid to have the results annulled on grounds they were rigged.
Mnangagwa has sought to turn the page on the issue, calling for "peace and unity" in a televised address after the court decision. "Let us put whatever differences we might have behind us. It is time to build our nation and move forward together."