Zimbabwe's former army commander who led a military takeover
that helped end Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule was sworn in on Thursday
as one of the country's two vice presidents.
General
Constantino Chiwenga, 61, took the oath of office in Harare, pledging to
be “faithful” to Zimbabwe and to “obey, uphold and defend the
constitution”, said an AFP journalist who witnessed the ceremony.
“I
will discharge my duties with all my strength and to the best of my
knowledge and ability,” said Chiwenga dressed in a black suit.
Chiwenga
retired from the military last week, slightly over a month after the
military temporarily took control of the country on November 15,
culminating in Mugabe's resignation six days later.
Emmerson
Mnangagwa, who had a few weeks earlier been sacked from his job as vice
president by Mugabe, then took over as the head of state.
Kembo
Mohadi, a veteran politician and long-serving state security minister,
was also sworn-in on Thursday as the second vice president to Mnangagwa.
Mugabe, 93, was ousted from power
after the military stepped in following internal feuding and
factionalism that had escalated in the ruling ZANU-PF party over who
would succeed him.
