Mnangwagwa with a huge task to unify Zim
EMMERSON Mnangagwa is brimming with confidence ahead of today’s inauguration following his election as Zimbabwe’s second president in 38 years.
But this confidence and elation may be short-lived as his government faces a formidable task of reviving a comatose economy and uniting a nation deeply divided along partisan lines.
Mnangagwa is set to be inaugurated at the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium (NSS) in the capital Harare. He succeeds Robert Mugabe, his former ally-turned-enemy who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.
Mdc-alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, said the Concourt verdict was not fair but hinted he would work towards uplifting the lives of Zimbabweans subdued by years of economic malaise.
“I hear your cries and feel your pain (electorate). I know you feel cheated, but take heart, your victory is not lost. Your will is sacred and we will listen to you (citizens) on the path of peace and course of action to be taken to rescue our beautiful Zimbabwe from the jaws of poverty, corruption and dishonesty,” Chamisa said.
In a separate interview, Mdc-alliance’s director of communications, Luke Tambarinyoka, said the Concourt ruling had depressed millions of hopeful Zimbabweans anticipating Chamisa’s victory.
“Zimbabweans have just received with a heavy heart the Constitutional Court’s ruling that Emmerson Mnangagwa is legitimately elected President of Zimbabwe,” Tamboorinyoka said.
He added: “For the record, president Nelson Chamisa (Mdc-alliance) and his legal team mounted a formidable case on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, a case of chicanery and electoral pilferage that was vindicated by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s embarrassing revision of its own declared results for a record three times, ultimately, the people shall govern.”
Mnangagwa, welcomed the Concourt ruling and offered an olive branch to the opposition.
“I once again reiterate my call for peace and unity above all,” Mnangagwa said.
“Nelson Chamisa, my door is open and my arms are outstretched, we are one nation and we must put our nation first. Let us all now put our differences behind us. It’s time to move forward together,” Mnangagwa said.
He said the ruling ZANU-PF was not surprised by the court’s decision arguing the election results were firmly in line with all pre-election polling and entirely consistent with the final tally of Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the country’s largest body of local independent observers.
“We have independent courts and we promised to respect their decision. Just as with the insights received from international monitors, we will accept and implement all recommendations to further improve our democratic process,” Mnangagwa said.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) delegation and Heads of Mission of EU member states in Harare have welcomed the Concourt ruling but have urged the new government to investigate allegations of human rights violations in the country.
“All cases need to be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. The fundamental rights of all citizens need to be respected and the physical integrity and safety of the victims and witnesses protected,” the EU announced in a statement.
Several leaders from Southern African Development Community (SADC), led by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, have confirmed attending the inauguration of Mnangagwa.
Other SADC member states expected to attend include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
The African Union (AU) Chairman, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, had earlier hinted at the SADC Summit in Windhoek, Namibia, he would attend the inauguration.
As ZANU-PF supporters embark on celebrations today across the country, tomorrow will undoubtedly signify the beginning of a long journey for the MDC which has high hopes of performing well in the next round of elections in 2023. –CAJ News