Euphoric Zimbabwe greets ex-Mugabe deputy as leader

HARARE, ZIMBABWE» The man expected to lead Zimbabwe after the dramatic toppling of longtime president Robert Mugabe returned from abroad on Wednesday, promising democracy but also warning that the ruling party would remain firmly in control.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s arrival in Harare marked the beginning of an era that many here were referring to as a rebirth. After 37 years of Mugabe’s increasingly authoritarian rule, the nation of 16 million was jubilant at the prospect of more freedom and an improvement in the fragile economy.

But Zimbabwe is entering a deeply uncertain period. Its

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new leader is a man with a dubious legacy, who was appointed through a shadowy, closeddoor process. He faces immense challenges in resurrecting an economy that shrank during decades of political turbulence and is burdened by $11 billion of debt.

Mnangagwa is a longtime Mugabe ally, nicknamed “the crocodile” because of a reputation for savviness and a willingness to use harsh tactics.

He is expected to be appointed president within days, becoming the country’s second leader since independence from Britain in 1980. Mnangagwa was dismissed several weeks ago by Mugabe, precipitating a military takeover that on Tuesday led to the longtime president’s resignation. Mnangagwa then left the country because of concerns about his safety.

On his return Wednesday, he delivered a short, ebullient speech in front of a roaring crowd at the headquarters of the ruling party, ZANU-PF, which has nominated him as the country’s next leader.

“Today we are witnessing the beginning of a new unfolding democracy in our country,” he said, after flying in from South Africa.

“I pledge myself to be your servant,” Mnangagwa added. “I appeal to all genuine parties in Zimbabwe to come together and work together. No one is more important than the other. We are all Zimbabweans.”

But switching from English to the local Shona language, Mnangagwa took a darker turn, belittling the opposition.

“Those who oppose us will bark and bark,” he said. “They will continue to bark, but the ZANU-PF train will roll on, ruling and ruling while they bark.”

Many Zimbabweans have questioned the legality of his ascent — Mnangagwa had no formal position in government after being fired and is not in the constitutional line of succession. But the ruling party, which Mugabe ran for nearly four decades before it abandoned him last week, claimed that it had the authority to appoint the next president.

Mnangagwa arrives in power at a time of extraordinary unity in Zimbabwe.

For the first time in decades, white farmers, activists, soldiers and opposition groups marched together through the streets of Harare this past week in defiance of Mugabe.