75-year-old Mnangagwa has promised to respect the constitution and improve citzens' rights
ADVERTISEMENTEmmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as President of Zimbabwe to loud cheers from a packed national stadium in Harare.
The swearing-in brings down the final curtain on the almost four-decades-rule of Robert Mugabe.
75-year-old Mnanagagwa promised that elections would be held next year as scheduled and steps would be taken to revive the economy.
Scenes at the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium ahead of Mnangagwa’s swearing-in ceremony ??https://t.co/GTeAvYcJjhpic.twitter.com/xHqzXHaEOL
— News24 (@News24) November 24, 2017
Mnangagwa also vowed to respect the constitution and improve citzens’ rights.
“I am required to serve our country as the president of all citizens, regardless of colour, creed, religion, tribe or political affiliation,” he said in a speech.
He also described the “voice of the people” as the “voice of God”.
But he has a lot of convincing to do.
Mnangagwa has been the right-hand man of Mugabe for years and is the country’s former security chief.
Critics say a lot of the harsh policies of Mugabe can also be traced back to Mnangagwa.
Mugabe to Mnangagwa – a real change? I interviewed #Zimbabwe expert Chipo Dendere
drDendere</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/AmherstCollege?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">AmherstCollege Massachusetts https://t.co/zEzEx2Ctxy— Seamus Kearney (@seamuskearney_) November 23, 2017
The former vice president was nominated for president by the ruling ZANU-PF party after Mugabe resigned last week.
The military took control of the country after Mnangagwa was sacked by Mugabe, raising suspicions that the 93-year-old was planning to install his unpopular wife Grace in the presidency.
Mnangagwa has also promised that Mugabe and his family will be kept safe.
It is also reported that Mugabe has been given guarantees that he will not face any court action over past actions.
Is the Crocodile a fresh start for Zimbabwe, or a new Robert Mugabe? https://t.co/MoziKkfUyYpic.twitter.com/V7tlggmlmE
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 24, 2017
The fired finance minister, Ignatius Chombo, is alleging that he was beaten while in military custody last week.
His lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku, told the Reuters news agency that Chombo was blindfolded.
“It was a very brutal and draconian way of dealing with opponents,” he said.
Chombo is in hospital with various injuries.
As Mnangagwa prepares to take power, Zimbabwe hungers for change https://t.co/abRVzHS4oHpic.twitter.com/WcTDqBneGS
— Bloomberg (@business) November 24, 2017
Mugabe ends 37 years of rule in Zimbabwe during which he was regarded by many as an autocrat, willing to unleash death squads, rig elections and trash the economy for power https://t.co/kPBJvc6PHLpic.twitter.com/2uTwsZIuCs
— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) November 21, 2017