The new Zimbabwean cabinet ministers have been sworn in at the country’s State House in Harare, drawing conflicting opinions from many Zimbabweans.
President Emmercon Mnangagwa announced the names on Friday, but made some changes over the weekend, with many seeing the move as a response to public outcry.
Mnangagwa failed to include members of the opposition in his appointments, which had representatives from the military.
The army landed the foreign affairs docket and the lands portfolio, with many seeing this as a reward from the president to the disciplined forces for their role in ousting long-serving leader Robert Mugabe.
The army took control of the government following the November 6 dismissal of Mnangagwa as vice president by president Mugabe. Many saw that as a move aimed at bringing former first lady Grace Mugabe closer to power, a woman many saw as a potential successor to the ageing Mugabe.
Mnangawa – who had fled the country following his sacking – returned to the capital following the resignation of Mugabe.
He was sworn into the presidency on a caretaker basis on November 24, barely three weeks after being dismissed from the vice presidency.
In his inaugural speech, Mnangagwa promised that the country’s elections would be held in 2018 as scheduled.
Many had hoped that he would include the opposition in his government, but he opted to retain many ministers from Mugabe’s administration.
Some disappointed Zimbabweans say they don’t expect anything different from the same people who were in Government during years of economic decline.
