Zimbabwe: Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as president

Former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been inaugurated as Zimbabwe’s new leader, taking over from his toppled predecessor Robert Mugabe. A large crowd gathered to witness an historic transition of power.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Zimbabwe's National Sports Stadium, to see former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa swear his oath on Friday.

Mnangagwa, who was sacked from his role as Mugabe's deputy earlier this month, is only the second president in Zimbabwe's 37-year existence as an independent nation. 

"I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe," said Mnangagwa, as he took the oath of office before the country's chief justice. Mnangagwa then received his chain and sash of office, before taking salutes and pledges of allegiance from military chiefs.

In his inaugural speech, Mnangagwa:

— praised Mugabe, declaring him "the only surviving, founding fathers of our nation."

— said that Zimbabwean domestic politics has become "poisoned and polarized."

— vowed to compensate farmers whose land was confiscated under Mugabe's bitterly contested land redistribution program.

— pledged to fight corruption. "Acts of corruption must stop forthwith. Where these occur, swift justice must be served," said Mnangawa.

Mugabe, who ruled for the entire period since independence from white-minority rule in 1980, did not attend.

DW