Mnangagwa to be sworn in as leader
HARARE: Zimbabwe’s recently fired vice president was set to return yesterday to be sworn in as the country’s new leader, after Robert Mugabe announced his stunning resignation in the middle of impeachment proceedings again him.
Zimbabweans erupted in response on Tuesday, cheering and dancing in the streets late into the night, thrilled to be rid of a leader whose early promise after the end of white minority rule in 1980 was overtaken by economic collapse, government dysfunction and human rights violations.
Now the focus turns to Mr Mnangagwa, Mr Mugabe’s long-time deputy who was pushed aside earlier this month as unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe positioned herself to replace him and succeed her husband. Mr Mnangagwa fled the country, claiming threats on his life.
That led t he military to step in a week ago, opening the door for the ruling party and the people to publicly turn against the president.
It was not clear what t he 93-year-old Robert Mugabe and his wife would do next. Mr Mugabe, who was the world’s oldest head of state, said in his resignation letter that legal procedures should be followed to install a new president “no later than tomorrow.”
Mr Mnangagwa is a former justice and defence minister who served for decades as Mr Mugabe’s enforcer, a role that earned him the nickname “Crocodile.” Many opposition supporters believe he was instrumental in the army killings of thousands of people when Mr Mugabe moved against a political rival in the 1980s.
Zimbabwe’s new leaders are faced with a once-prosperous nation whose economy has collapsed, sending well-educated but frustrated young people into desperate work as street vendors.