Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa began his second term in office on Monday, taking the oath of office after being declared the winner of the recent election.
This election had been a subject of dispute, with the main opposition party claiming it was fraudulent.
On August 23, Zimbabweans went to the polls to choose their president, parliament members, and local council representatives.
However, the primary opposition party contested the election’s outcome, labeling it a massive fraud.
During his inauguration speech, President Mnangagwa called for unity among the people following the election and promised to revitalize the struggling economy.
He mentioned that policies initiated during his first term aimed to reduce poverty are still in progress.
Thousands of Mnangagwa’s supporters, who had come from all over the country, celebrated his inauguration at the National Sports Stadium.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba administered the oath of office, the same judge who declared Mnangagwa the winner after a constitutional court challenge in 2018.
Mnangagwa emphasized his role as a president for all citizens and extended an invitation for unity both individually and collectively.
Several African leaders attended the inauguration, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambique’s Phillipe Nyusi, and Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi.
However, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema chose not to attend.
Mnangagwa’s second term begins amid persistent economic difficulties, with the Zimdollar losing significant value throughout the year, and international financial support remaining frozen.
Also, read;
Teen Fatally Shot By Police After Allegedly Killing Police Dog And Pointing Gun At Officers
Nelson Chamisa, the 45-year-old leader of the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) party, called for a new vote, citing flaws in the election.
However, his party did not challenge the results in court, clearing the way for Mnangagwa’s inauguration.
Mnangagwa had encouraged the opposition to seek legal remedies but maintained that the election was valid and warned against any actions that could disrupt the peace.
In their initial reports, observer missions from the Southern African regional bloc SADC stated that the election did not meet regional or international standards.
The European Union (EU) observer mission mentioned that the polls occurred in a climate of fear.
The government faced criticism for arresting more than 40 activists from civil society organizations and allegations of voter intimidation in rural areas.
While the voting process was generally peaceful, there were significant delays in distributing ballot papers, leading to accusations of voter suppression from the opposition.
After years of isolation from the international community, Zimbabwe, under Mnangagwa’s leadership, has been working to rebuild relationships with Western partners.
Without foreign funding, the country’s economic challenges are likely to persist, leaving millions facing an uncertain future.
Mnangagwa hinted at retaining the country’s currency, the Zimdollar, despite its weakening value against the U.S. dollar since its reintroduction in 2019.
He emphasized the importance of a national currency for sustainable economic growth based on internal resources.
