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Zimbabwe’s ousted vice president was set to be sworn in as president on November 24, 2017, marking the final chapter of a political drama that toppled his predecessor after a military takeover. / AFP PHOTO / Marco Longari
THIS WEEK: Zimbabwe gets new president after 37 years
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | History was made in the South African country of Zimbabwe on Nov.24 when a new president – Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was sworn in a ceremony held in the country’s capital of Harare.
Zimbabwe had not seen a new president since 1980 when President Robert Mugabe took over from Europeans.
Mugabe was forced to resign after a standoff with the military just weeks after firing Mnangagwa who had been his vice president and longtime confidant.
Amidst cheers from supporters in packed national stadium, president Mnangagwa promised to rebuild the country that he said had a poisonous political atmosphere and troubled economy.
He also promised swift justice warning that he will not tolerate corrupt officials. But, some analysts are skeptical about his promises saying the same lieutenant served in high positions but didn’t do much.
The new president will be at the helm of the country until next year when elections are anticipated to take place.
With due respect,in my own view, if Mr Mugabe was a bad man, then Mr Mnangagwa is not the right replacement for him. Mr Mnangagwa has all along been the right handman of Mugabe for the 37 years plus, and one the chief executioners of Mugabe’s plans. Mr Mr Mnangagwa has benefited from the Mugabe leadership to the extent that he has accumulated vast riches both in property and cash at bank, yet he has been a government employee all along. Mr Mnangagwa as a Home Affairs minister, oversaw the disappearance of over 20,000 Zimbabweans in Matabele land. In fact had Mugabe not sacked Mnangagwa, he apparently was still very comfortable having Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa only moved against Mugabe after being sacked.
Very soon, the euphoria will evaporate and Zimbabweans will soon find out that after all, there is no much difference between Mugabe and Mnangagwa, except that Mnangagwa may be more ruthless.
I must however commend the Zimbabweans for the mature way they handled the situation pre and post the coup. They were able to remain calm, and did not not go out for primitive revenge campaign, nor did they engage in looting and destruction of property as has been seen in many African countries. I am still trying to study why the Zimbabweans were able to contain themselves despite the grinding poverty. May be, President Mugabe was not after all a very bad ban as portrayed by the media in the hostile countries!