Mnangagwa calls for unity as opponent labels win a "coup"
ADVERTISEMENTZimbabwe's newly elected president Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to be a president for all Zimbabweans and called for the country to unite.
But his main opponent says the vote was rigged and illegitimate.
Scuffles broke out between riot police and journalists waiting to hear from Nelson Chamisa, who leads opposition party Movement for Democratic Change.
When he finally spoke, Chamisa labeled Mnangagwa's victory a coup:
"This election as a presidential result is fraudulent, illegal, illegitimate and characterised by serious credibility gaps."
Mnangagwa disowned the actions of the police and said he would call for an independent commission to investigate violent clashes between the military and protestors that left six civilians dead earlier in the week.
He also appealed to his rival to work with him:
"To Nelson Chamisa, I wanted to say, you have a crucial role to play in Zimbabwe's present and in its unfolding future. Let us both call for peace and unity in our land. Call for both louder than ever."
According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Mnangagwa won just over 50 percent of the vote, while Chamisa received 44 percent.
Chamisa has vowed to challenge the result "by all legal and constitutional means" and said he will appeal to national and international bodies.