Done with Mugabe, Zimbabwe swears-in new president

Former Vice President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa who was sacked by former president Robert Mugabe has been sworn-in as president.

In his inaugural speech, Mnangagwa praised outgoing leader Robert Mugabe as “the father of the nation”, adding, “Let us all accept and acknowledge his immense contribution to the building of our nation.”

His swearing formally brings to an end an era of political autocracy under the control of Mugabe who was persuaded to resign after the military seized political power.

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The 75 years old Mnangagwa, taking the oat of office before the chief justice.at the national sports stadium on the outskirts of Harare, said “I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe”.

He then received the chain and sash of office, and took salutes and pledges of allegiance from the country’s military and security chiefs.

Known as “The Crocodile” for his ruthlessness, the man who has been accused of overseeing ethnic massacres and political violence, only returned to the country on Wednesday, when he was assured of his safety.

 

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