Zimbabwe’s new leader Emmerson Mnangagwa told a cheering crowd in Harare on Wednesday that the country was entering a new stage of democracy following Robert Mugabe’s resignation as president.
Mnangagwa returned to the country on Wednesday, having fled for his safety when the 93-year-old former leader sacked him as vice president two weeks ago to smooth a path to the succession for his 54-year-old wife Grace Mugabe.
Incoming President of #Zimbabwe, ED #Mnangagwa ‘s motorcade with Police & Army escort along J Nyerere Rd, including Army Choppers a few minutes ago…heading to Zanu-PF HQ pic.twitter.com/hDtyJdu6UO
— AudreyTendai (@AudreyChimwanda) November 22, 2017
“The people have spoken. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” Mnangagwa told thousands of supporters gathered outside the ruling ZANU-PF party’s offices in the capital.
“Today we are witnessing the beginning of a new and unfolding democracy.”
Zimbabwe was once one of Africa’s most promising economies but suffered decades of decline as Mugabe pursued policies that included the violent seizure of white-owned commercial farms and money-printing that led to hyperinflation, Reuters reports.
Mnangagwa promised to address the issue of poverty and unemployment. Majority of Zimbabwe’s 16 million people remain poor and face currency shortages.
“We want to grow our economy, we want peace in our country, we want jobs, jobs, jobs,” he told the crowd, adding: “The will of the people will always, always succeed.”
Mugabe resigned on Tuesday as parliament began an impeachment process after he had resisted pressure to do so for a week.
People danced in the streets following his downfall, some brandishing posters of Mnangagwa and army Chief General Constantino Chiwenga, who led the takeover.
Following Mugabe’s resignation, the African Union said that he would be remembered “as a fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter and the father of the independent Zimbabwean nation” and that his decision to step down would enhance his legacy.
Parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda said on Wednesday that Mnangagwa would be sworn in as president on Friday after being nominated by ZANU-PF to fill the vacancy left by Mugabe.
