Power to Mnangagwa
MNANGAGWA: CITIZENS HAPPY RIGHT MAN’S IN CHARGE
Leader has hailed his election win as a fresh start for nation ravaged by poverty.
Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially sworn in as president of Zimbabwe yesterday after winning a bitterly contested election that marked the nation’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 Harare stadium.
He said in an oath greeted by thunderous applause from a crowd that also included President Cyril Ramaphosa: “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.”
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 righthand 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 nation 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 stadium yesterday under banners proclaiming “Celebrating a new Zimbabwe” and “Unity takes us forward, peace keeps us going”.
Malvern Makoni, a supporter at the event, said “We were stressed with what was happening with the court procedures but we are happy now because everything has been finalised and we want people to unite and work together.”
Other supporters also expressed an appetite for reform.
“Our country is now going to develop with President Mnangagwa now in charge,” said Blessing Muvirimi, 41. “Mnangagwa is the right man to lead Zimbabwe to prosperity.”
Mnangagwa of the ruling ZanuPF party won the election with 50.8% of the vote – just enough to meet the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off against the main opposition led by Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%.
International observers said the polls were largely free of the violence which characterised previous votes in Zimbabwe.
The nation’s Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Chamisa’s bid to have the results annulled after he challenged them, claiming they were rigged. – AFP
I will obey, uphold, and defend the constitution