Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) takes his oath of office
with the Chief Justice Luke Malaba in Harare on August 26, 2018. PHOTO |
JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP
Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially sworn in as president of
Zimbabwe on Sunday after winning a bitterly contested election that
marked the country's first vote since strongman Robert Mugabe was ousted
from power.
Mnangagwa, whose victory in the July 30
polls was challenged by the main opposition, pledged to "protect and
promote the rights of Zimbabweans" in 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," Mnangagwa said in an oath greeted
by thunderous applause from a crowd that also included several African
heads of state.
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.
Fresh start
The newly-minted leader has hailed his election victory as a
fresh start for Zimbabwe after years of repression and economic
mismanagement under his predecessor which left the country burdened by
shattered public services, mass poverty and unemployment.
But
his reforming promises, including to entice back investors, were marred
by the army opening fire on protesters, killing six shortly after the
poll, allegations of vote-rigging and a violent crackdown on opposition
activists.
Supporters, many wearing caps and T-shirts
emblazoned with Mnangagwa's image, filed into the Harare stadium on
Sunday under banners proclaiming "Celebrating a new Zimbabwe" and "Unity
takes us forward, peace keeps us going".
"We were
stressed with what was happening with the court procedures (hearing
opposition appeals of vote fraud) but we are happy now because
everything has been finalized and we want people to unite and work
together," said supporter Malvern Makoni at the event.
Other supporters also expressed an appetite for reform.
"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."
Mnangagwa
of the ruling Zanu-PF party won the election with 50.8 per cent of the
vote — just enough to meet the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a
run-off against the main opposition led by Nelson Chamisa, who scored
44.3 per cent.
International observers said the polls were largely free of the violence which characterised previous votes in Zimbabwe.
The
country's top court on Friday dismissed Chamisa's bid to have the
results annulled after he challenged the results, claiming they were
rigged.
But the opposition leader has rejected that ruling and vowed to lead "peaceful protests".
"I
have a legitimate claim that I am supposed to lead the people of
Zimbabwe," Chamisa, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
party, said Saturday.
"The court's decision is not the
people's decision. The people who voted do not believe in (Mnangagwa).
We have got a clear majority."
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."
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