Mnangagwa sworn in as new Zimbabwe President
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as president of Zimbabwe, becoming the country’s second leader since independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Malawi did not send a delegation but Lilongwe representative in Harare Ambassador Annie Kumwenda attended as Mnangagwa took his oath of office in front of tens of thousands of jubilant Zimbabweans who had gathered at a stadium in Harare, after greeting the crowd with a raised fist.
People sang and danced in the stands and raised banners reading “Dawn of a new era” and “No to retribution”, even as human rights activists began to report worrying details of attacks on close allies of the former first lady, Grace Mugabe, and their families. Mnangagwa himself has warned against “vengeful retribution”.
Elsewhere in the capital, long lines formed outside banks, a common sight in a country struggling with cash shortages and severe economic problems the new president will have to confront.
“Right now, nothing has really changed for me. I still cannot get my money from the bank,” said Amon Mutora, who had been waiting in line since 6am.
Mnangagwa is a 75-year-old stalwart of the ruling Zanu-PF party, widely known as “the Crocodile” – a liberation war nickname that may have stuck because it suited his reputation for ruthless cunning. He was sacked as vice-president by Robert Mugabe two weeks ago, trigging a political crisis that culminated in Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday.
He will serve until the end of the presidential term next year. An election date has not yet been set.
Mnangagwa was a key Mugabe confidant for decades until they fell out because of the presidential ambitions of Grace Mugabe.
Critics have questioned his role in the Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland in 1983, when an estimated 20,000 people were killed in a crackdown on Mugabe opponents by the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade. Mnangagwa has denied any part in the atrocities
Despite his long association with the government that has presided over Zimbabwe’s decline, including economic collapse and human rights abuses, Mnangagwa has promised democracy and reached out to other countries for help.
Mugabe was the world’s oldest head of state when he quit on Tuesday amid impeachment proceedings. In the end, he became isolated and showed few of the political skills that kept him in power for 37 years and made him a prominent but polarising figure on the world stage.
Zimbabwe’s state-run Herald newspaper reported that Mnangagwa had assured Mugabe and his family of their “maximum security”. The report said the two men agreed Mugabe would not attend on Friday because he “needed time to rest”.
As the inauguration crowds passed by, Sharon Samuriwo sat watching from a ledge. She said she hoped Mnangagwa would learn from the errors of his predecessor, but acknowledged that the path ahead for Zimbabwe was unknown.
Still, “after 37 years, we’ve got someone different”, she said.
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Mpinganjira knew nothing about how government is run. As a matter of fact in that entire Udf it was only Aleke who knew what a cabinet minister was supposed to do.
Mpinganjira was always on a jet plane to UK blowing government money with impunity. That was the genesis of cashgate in Malawi. Very bad people munationengera dziko agalu inu!
Mpingalende, if you believe that Mpinganjira knew nothing about politics, have you ever asked yourself if Chakwera has any elementary knowledge of politics?
Yes we are aware the only thing he is very good at is building expensive houses without disclosing the source of funds. Now we have been informed that he is teaching MCP how to enjoy water from LWB without paying for it? Mpaka kuba madzi!!!!
Will be monitoring closely…….. To me it’s birds of the same feathers
We wish mnangagwa every success. What has happened in Zimbabwe reminds me of our situation with Kamuzu. Instead of just replacing Kamuzu we removed everything including the good, the discipline in civil service replacing it with the unruly carelessness. Workers outdoing one another in corruption and theft of public resources with unchallenged impunity. Employing one another from the same family or tribe unchecked, all in the name of the new found freedoms of human rights – Southern Region style. This is the reason some of us who had voted for the first time at that time had felt that we… Read more »
Malawians choice was right. The dictator lost. A new era came with its own challenges but surely nothing could be as bad as the authoritative political era of Kamuzu. When it comes to favouritism, this is a chronic disease that has been there in Malawi even b4 Kamuzu. The worst form of nepotism experienced in Malawi was when Kamuzu directed that teachers should go back to their regional bases, North Centre and South. Reasons better known to Kamuzu himself.
Point of order to the zimbabweans. Dont celebrete too fast it would have been better if poer was given to a new person not this crocodile. As you are all awre as to why he was nicknamed crocodile and during whose regime yuo would have waited abit and see how he will lead the nation otherwise you may waste your time celebrating and ululating for another hyna. Take it or not this guy has mugabes DNA in his blood
I’m pround of you,Mnagwanga good lucky.we need a change in Africa.
THANKS TO THE SOLDIERS OF ZIMBABWE. OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES DEFENCE COMMANDERS SHOULD EMULATE FROM ZIMBABWE SOLDIERS.