Hoping for a Better Future
Thousands celebrate as he pledges to protect and promote human rights
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 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.
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. Mnangagwa’s supporters filed into the Harare stadium under banners proclaiming “celebrating a new Zimbabwe” and “unity takes us forward”. –