Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president in a ceremony at a packed stadium in the country’s capital, Harare. It follows the dramatic departure of Robert Mugabe after 37 years of authoritarian rule.
The former vice-president’s dismissal earlier this month led the ruling Zanu-PF party and the army to intervene and force Mr Mugabe to quit. Mr Mnangagwa, who had fled the country, returned from exile on Wednesday.
The opposition is urging Mr Mnangagwa, who has b een part of the ruling elite, to end the “culture of corruption”.
Although Mr Mnangagwa has unseated Zimbabwe’s long-time ruler, he is still associated by many with some of the worst atrocities committed under the ruling Zanu-PF party since the country gained independence in 1980.
He was the country’s spymaster during the 1980s civil conflict, in which thousands of civilians were killed. But he has denied any role in the massacres, blaming the army.
- Known as “the crocodile” because of his political shrewdness – his Zanu-PF faction is “Lacoste”is married with 9 children
- Received military training in China and Egypt .Tortured by Rhodesian forces after his “crocodile gang” staged attacks
- Helped direct Zimbabwe’s war of independence in the 1960s and 1970s
- Became the country’s spymaster during the 1980s civil conflict, in which thousands of civilians were killed, but has denied any role in the massacres, blaming the army
- Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition supporters after 2008 election
- Says he will deliver jobs, and seen as open to economic reforms
- “Part of the torture techniques involved being hanged with his feet on the ceiling and the head down. The severity of the torture made him unconscious for days.”
- As he said was under 21 at the time, he was not executed but instead sentenced to 10 years in prison. “He has scars from that period. He was young and brave,” a close friend of Mr Mnangagwa once said, asking not to be named.
Source: bbc
