Zimbabwe: Incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa to be sworn in Friday

AFP | Zimbabwe’s incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa was preparing Thursday for his new role as president after a triumphant return home following the departure of the former long-serving president, Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa will be sworn in as president at an inauguration ceremony on Friday.
Zimbabwe’s incoming president told adoring crowds in Harare yesterday that they were witnessing “unfolding full democracy” as he returned to take power after Robert Mugabe stepped down after 37 years in power.

“Today we are witnessing the beginning of a new and unfolding full democracy in our country,” he said in front of hundreds of supporters, “we want to grow our economy, we want jobs – all patriotic Zimbabweans should come together, work together,” he said.

Mugabe resigned Tuesday in a shock announcement to parliament, where lawmakers had convened to impeach the 93-year-old leader who dominated every aspect of Zimbabwean public life for decades.

On the streets, the news that his long leadership was over sparked wild celebrations which lasted late into the night, with crowds dancing and cheering amid a cacophony of car horns.

Mugabe had governed Zimbabwe almost unopposed since independence, and eventually became the world’s oldest serving head of state. Last week’s military takeover had all the hallmarks of a coup, but the generals stopped short of forcing Mugabe out.
As the crisis grew, the ruling ZANU-PF, removed him as party leader and began parliamentary proceedings to have him impeached.

The international community hailed Mugabe’s exit as a chance to reshape Zimbabwe’s future, but for most Zimbabweans, who had known life only under Mugabe, his time in power was defined by suppression, economic collapse and international isolation.