Zimbabwe’s new President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to tackle corruption, saying that the culture must change, “and change now”.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took an oath of office today, Friday in succession to his former boss, Robert Mugabe, said that the country would never remain a hostage of its past.
The new President vowed to reinforce the idea of a “new Zimbabwe,” adding: “we must work together. You, me, all of us who make up this nation.”
He called on the millions of Zimbabweans who have left the southern African country to contribute to their homeland’s reconstruction.
The 75 year old Mnangagwa said thar he was deeply humbled to take power after an extraordinary series of events that began with Mr Mugabe firing him early this month as vice-president.
The new President reached out to the world after years of sanctions and international condemnation over rights abuses, asking “those who have punished us in the past to reconsider.”
He made a range of promises with the aim of reviving a once-prosperous economy that has collapsed amid mismanagement and international sanctions.
Mnangagwa said he would aim for more foreign investment and promised that “all foreign investment will be safe in Zimbabwe”, addressing fears after moves by Mr Mugabe to nationalise the country’s lucrative resources such as diamonds.
The military, fresh from putting Mr Mugabe under house arrest just days ago, quickly swore its loyalty to the new leader.
Mnangagwa was sworn in as President in front of thousands of cheering supporters at Harare’s national stadium, bringing the final curtain down on the 37-year rule of Robert Mugabe.
The new President was once a security chief known as “The Crocodile.”
Sources: BBC, ABC/wires[myad]
