by Zivanai Dhewa

President Mnangagwa has been hailed for making good his 24 November 2018 promise of opening up the democratic space, by following the country’s constitution, the AU and SADC guidelines by holding free, fair and credible elections.

Speaking during his inauguration at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the process since 24 November 2014 had birthed a new Zimbabwe.

“Following my commitment to open up the democratic space, the period since that special day on 24 November 2017, has indeed been momentous. In just nine months, we have birthed a new Zimbabwe and forged a different path for our nation. A path full of freedoms, democracy, transparency, love and harmony, a path full of dialogue and debate, a path of unity, peace and development,” said President Emmerson Mnangagwa

“We held that much anticipated 2018 harmonised general elections, in accordance with our laws and guidelines and informed by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Elections, as well as the AU declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa.

“I took it upon myself to preach the message of peace, non-violence, harmony, love and unity, before, during and after the elections,” added President Mnangagwa.

Speaking at the same occasion, AU Chairman and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame said that “we have had the African Union observers coming to Zimbabwe to follow how elections were going.  The impression we got was that the elections went very well.”

SADC Chairperson and Namibian President sent his congratulatory message saying, “We warmly congratulate Zimbabwe on the very peaceful election process they have done through and especially on this milestone event where we are witnessing the inauguration of the second executive President of Zimbabwe.”

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa expressed satisfaction at how the people of Zimbabwe conducted themselves, before, during and after elections. 

“Zimbabwe should take this as a moment to build on their democracy and move forward.  There should be peace even to those who lost the elections, it is time to work together and build the economy,” said President Ramaphosa.

Meanwhile the President has called upon all Zimbabweans to remain peaceful as the country works on rebuilding the economy.