Mnangagwa pledges new era as Zimbabwe president

Yahoo – AFP, Reagan MASHAVAVE, November 24, 2017

Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as president of Zimbabwe less than three weeks
after being sacked by ousted leader Robert Mugabe (AFP Photo/MUJAHID SAFODIEN)

Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed sweeping change at his swearing in on Friday, seeking to reassure foreign investors and pledging to fight poverty and corruption after Robert Mugabe's shock resignation.

In his inaugural address, Mnangagwa set out a programme of dramatic change that promised a stark reversal of many of Mugabe's signature policies.

He pledged that his government would compensate white farmers whose land was seized by Mugabe, protect international investments in the country, and re-engage with foreign powers.

Elections scheduled for 2018 would go ahead as planned, he said.

"I humbly appeal to all of us that we let bygones be bygones," he said at the ceremony in the 60,000-seat national stadium in Harare, which was packed to capacity.

"We must work together -- you, me, all of us who make this nation.

"I stand here today, to say that our country is ready for a sturdy re-engagement programme with all the nations of the world," he said.

After reciting the oath of office, the 75-year-old leader was given a ceremonial chain and sash of office flanked by his wife Auxilia, receiving salutes and pledges of allegiance from the country's military and security chiefs.

Military aircraft and helicopters then staged a fly-past.

Mnangagwa also used his speech to pay tribute to Mugabe, describing him as one of the "founding fathers of our nation".

Mnangagwa is a political veteran who has served in multiple government
positions since independence in 1980 (AFP Photo/Marco Longari)

'Mugabe's legacy of ruin'

"We are excited and expecting a lot from Mnangagwa. We have been under a dictatorship for a very long time," said 23-year-old Sharon Mauyakufa.

The 93-year-old former president, who ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist for 37 years, was ousted after the military intervened over his sacking of Mnangagwa as vice president on November 6.

Two days later, Mnangagwa fled the country, only returning on Wednesday when he said Zimbabwe was entering an era of "full democracy".

But critics have warned Mnangagwa -- whose ruthlessness won him the nickname "The Crocodile" and who has been accused of overseeing violence and ethnic massacres -- could prove just as authoritarian as his mentor.

Mnangagwa was until recently one of
Mugabe's closest allies (AFP Photo/
Vincent LEFAI)

Friday's 21-gun salute marked Mnangagwa's transformation from a sacked enemy of the state to president of a nation of 16 million people.

"We thank you, our soldier," read one banner at the stadium.

"The people have spoken," said another.

"Mnangagwa came at the right time when the economy was showing signs of going back to 2008 when... people were starving," said Nozithelo Mhlanga, a 27-year-old accountant.

"Mugabe has left no legacy at all except that of ruin, poverty and corruption."

Mugabe in frail health

Mugabe, who is in increasingly frail health, had been positioning his wife Grace as his successor but the army chiefs stepped in to halt the plan.

Police commissioner Augustine Chihuri, seen as a Grace supporter, was loudly booed at the swearing in.

Mugabe did not attend.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change, received rapturous applause as he arrived at the packed stadium.

In Mugabe's native home of Kutama, about 55 miles (90 kilometres) west of Harare, reaction to Mnangagwa's inauguration was subdued as residents expressed sorrow over Mugabe's ouster.

"We are so grateful for what he has done, the way he has looked after us until today. We hope things will continue just as good," said Tobias Sowero, 40, sitting in front of a shop.

Marjorie Masuwa, a 54-year-old shopkeeper, told AFP she feared for the future under Mnangagwa.

"When I heard that (Mugabe) had stepped down, I didn't get emotional, but allow me to say that he was loving. I just wish the one who is replacing him is the same," she said.

On Thursday, Mnangagwa promised the Mugabes "maximum security and welfare" in talks.

Many in Zimbabwe hope Mnangagwa will push through reforms to bring in 

investment (AFP Photo/MARCO LONGARI)

'Africa's Gandhi'

Also at the ceremony were Zambian President Edgar Lungu, Botswana's President Ian Khama and Zambian independence leader Kenneth Kaunda -- known as "Africa's Gandhi" -- all of whom were cheered.

Jacob Zuma, president of regional heavyweight South Africa, did not attend as he was hosting a visit by Angola's new head of state.

"We wish to emphasise the need for the maintenance of peace and stability," Zuma said in a statement.

Robert Besseling, of the London-based EXX Africa risk consultancy, wrote in a research note that ensuring economic stability would be paramount.

"Mnangagwa's administration will also reach out to foreign banks to obtain fresh financial support facilities," he wrote.

Many hope Mnangagwa will push through investor-friendly reforms to revive Zimbabwe's once-promising economy.

Unemployment is over 90 percent, and in his first speech after being announced as the next president he promised "jobs, jobs, jobs!"

Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, exercising almost total authority to crush any sign of dissent. His reign was characterised by brutality, rigged elections and international isolation.

Until his rule ended Tuesday with a resignation letter read out in parliament where MPs had gathered to impeach him, he was the world's oldest head of state.

Mugabe was last seen in public on Friday. Neither he nor his wife Grace has been seen since.

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Elated Zimbabweans celebrate as Mugabe era fades

Egypt opens Gaza border for first time since unity deal

Yahoo – AFP, November 18, 2017

A Red Crescent ambulance waits to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing
 after Egypt reopened it for three days on November 18, 2017 (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams)

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Egypt opened its largely sealed border with Gaza on Saturday after a reconciliation agreement with Hamas gave the Palestinian Authority control over the crossing for the first time since 2007.

A Palestinian official at the Rafah crossing said it had opened at 0700 GMT and was expected to stay open for three days.

"Egypt will open the crossing for humanitarian cases registered with the interior ministry," the official said, adding that civilian and security personnel on the Palestinian side were all employees of the reconciliation government headed by prime minister Rami Hamdallah.

Up to 20,000 people from Gaza have applied to enter Egypt.

Ten buses had crossed over in the first four hours.

Iyad Abu al-Kheer, 46, who was travelling to Romania through Egypt, said that Gazans were "suffering from a blockade for 11 years."

"All our (medical) treatments and such things have to go through this crossing," he said.

Kheer expressed hope the border crossing would remain open for good.

"Things are going well and everyone can travel and start their business and their lives," he said.

Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip had been totally sealed since August, and was largely closed for years before that.

Some of the thousands of Palestinians who have applied to leave the Gaza Strip 

during a three-day reopening of the Rafah border crossing by Egypt argue with 

Hamas officials at a makeshift departure station on November 18, 2017 (AFP 

Photo/Mahmud Hams)

So far this year the border has been open on 14 days, according to the Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza.

Under the terms of a Palestinian reconciliation agreement reached last month, Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas are supposed to cede civil power to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority by December 1.

As a first step, they handed over control of its border crossings on November 1.

The Egypt-brokered deal is expected to lead to more regular opening of the Rafah crossing.

Mufeed al Husayneh, Gaza minister of public works and housing, said the Saturday opening was "the first work of the government of national reconciliation taking over its functions at the Rafah crossing."

"The unity government is ready to carry its responsibilities and roles," he said.

The head of the Palestinian Authority's security services Majid Faraj held talks with senior Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza on Friday.

All Palestinian factions are due to meet in Cairo next week to discuss ways to move the reconciliation deal forward.

Both Israel and Egypt have maintained blockades of Gaza for years, arguing that they are necessary to isolate Hamas.

Egypt opens its border with Gaza for the first time since a unity deal saw Hamas give up control of the crossing https://t.co/ROh0iuGraR pic.twitter.com/tF16JwkNvH

— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 18, 2017

Elated Zimbabweans celebrate as Mugabe era fades

Yahoo – AFP, Susan Njanji and Fanuel Jongwe, November 18, 2017

There was a celebratory atmosphere across Zimbabwe as thousands turned out to
 voice their opposition to the decades-long autocratic rule of Presdient Robert
Mugabe (AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

Harare (AFP) - Tens of thousands of overjoyed protesters flooded Zimbabwe's streets Saturday celebrating President Robert Mugabe's slipping power on the eve of crunch talks with the military to determine the veteran leader's fate.

In scenes of public euphoria not seen since independence in 1980, huge crowds marched, danced and sang their way through the capital Harare and other cities, demanding that Mugabe, 93, finally step down.

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Following the mass demonstrations, the catholic priest chairing talks between Mugabe and the military who seized power from him told state TV that the president would meet the generals for talks on Sunday.

The protests' huge turnout came after an unprecedented week in which the military seized power and put Mugabe under house arrest in response to his sacking of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The marches were peaceful, despite a tense stand-off as heavily armed soldiers barred thousands of protesters from reaching Mugabe's official residence, the State House, in central Harare.

Such an open display of disloyalty would have been unthinkable just a week 

ago as dissent was routinely crushed by security forces (AFP Photo)

'New life after Mugabe'

The crowd got within 200 metres (220 yards) of the gates to the complex that has been the nerve centre of Mugabe's authoritarian rule before staging a sit-down protest.

The demonstrations were called by independence war veterans and included citizens of all ages, jubilant that Mugabe appeared to be on his way out.

"This is the best day of my life. We are hoping for a new life after Mugabe," said 38-year-old Sam Sechete at the main rally in Highfield, a working-class suburb of Harare.

A symbolic location, Highfield was where Mugabe gave his rousing first speech after returning from exile in Mozambique ahead of independence in 1980.

Demonstrators roared, whistled and chanted, brandishing placards proclaiming: "Not coup -- but cool" and "Mugabe must go!"

In central Harare, a group of young men tore down a green metal street sign bearing Robert Mugabe's name and smashed it repeatedly on the road before trampling it underfoot.

Major General Sibusiso Moyo, whose faltering delivery of an army statement on state TV marked the completion of the take-over on Wednesday, told journalists at the protests "the people of Zimbabwe are disciplined, orderly and they are unified".

In Bulawayo, the country's second-largest city, demonstrators sounded car horns, whistled and blew vuvuzelas as they gathered outside City Hall before briefly storming that city's State House. They were convinced to leave by troops.

Factfile on Zimbabwe. (AFP Photo/Gal ROMA)

Unthinkable a week ago

Such an open display of defiance would have been unthinkable just a week ago as dissent was routinely crushed by security forces.

But in a statement released on Friday, the army said it fully supported the protests.

The majority of Zimbabweans have only known life under Mugabe's rule, which has been defined by violent suppression, economic collapse and international isolation.

"I went to university but here I am selling bananas to earn a living. If it wasn't for Mugabe, I would be doing something else," said one protester, street vendor Abel Kapodogo, 34.

Many in the crowds were cheering the soldiers and stopping to shake their

hands (AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

'Mugabe cornered'

Mugabe enraged many Zimbabweans when he did not resign following talks with the army's leaders on Thursday, with sources suggesting he was "buying time" to negotiate a favourable end to his 37-year reign.

He appeared publicly for the first time on Friday for a scheduled appearance at a graduation ceremony in Harare, further stoking speculation about his talks with General Constantino Chiwenga, who led the military power grab.

Nine of the 10 regional branches of Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF have now called for him to go.

A ZANU-PF MP, and a national party official, who both declined to be named confirmed that the party's executive committee would meet Sunday to seek to have Mugabe removed as president and party leader.

It is unclear whether the body has the power to force Mugabe out but a resolution against him would be yet another serious blow to his authority.

There was a festive air in the streets (AFP Photo)

Clashing with Grace

The army seizure of power appeared to be the climax of a dispute over who would succeed the ailing leader.

Before being pushed out as vice president, Mnangagwa had clashed repeatedly with Mugabe's wife Grace, 52.

Both had been seen as leading contenders to replace Mugabe, but Mnangagwa had the tacit support of the armed forces, which viewed Grace -- a political novice -- with derision.

ZANU-PF will also discuss removing Grace as head of the party's women's league at the Sunday summit.

The international community including the African Union, Britain and the United States has called for Zimbabwe's army to quickly relinquish power.

A small but noisy protest in London Saturday called for Mugabe to go.

Crowds of overjoyed protesters flooded Zimbabwe's streets celebrating the crumbling of President Mugabe's regime https://t.co/xkaYdQiU3G pic.twitter.com/WErIg1yLKr

— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 18, 2017

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Military vehicles outside Zimbabwe capital as treason claims fly

President Mugabe and his wife Grace addressed party members after the vice

president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was sacked -- a move that was followed by 
themilitary's warning on Monday (AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

Daughter of Angola's ex-president sacked as state oil chief

Yahoo – AFP, Daniel Garelo Pensador, November 15, 2017

Angola's newly elected president Joao Lourenco delivers his first speech at the
Angola Nation Assembly in Luanda on October 16, 2017 (AFP Photo/AMPE ROGERIO)

Luanda (AFP) - Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Wednesday fired his predecessor's daughter from her influential post as head of the Sonangol state oil company, the presidency said in a statement.

The sacking marks a watershed moment in Lourenco's young presidency as he seeks to assert his authority and clear-out the legacy of his controversial predecessor Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled with an iron grip for 38 years.

Lourenco swept to power as the ruling party's candidate in August elections after pledging to clean up Angola's endemic graft, tackle nepotism and revive its listless economy.

"Under the powers vested in him by the constitution, the president... has decided to relieve the following directors who make up the board of Sonangol," said the statement, which named the former president's daughter Isabel.

During his campaign to win the presidency, Lourenco, the 63-year-old former defence minister, vowed to distance himself from his all-powerful predecessor who remains head of the ruling party.

"Nobody will be above the law," he told foreign media on the eve of his election victory.

Known derisively as "the princess", 44-year-old Isabel became the public face of the Dos Santos business empire during her father's presidency.

'I want to continue'

Isabel dos Santos described herself as an "entrepreneur" on her Twitter account and the US-based Forbes magazine claims that she is Africa's richest woman.

It estimates that her personal fortune could be as much as $3.3 billion (2.8 billion euros).

She is also active in the telecoms sector and notably controls Unitel, Angola's leading mobile phone operator, as well as satellite TV network Zap.

She also holds 25 percent of the capital of Portuguese media giant NOS and has invested heavily in the banking sector.

Isabel's removal from Sonangol's top job comes as a surprise, for she had often stated that she wanted to remain in the top job.

"The job of Sonangol is not dependent on the electoral process... I want to continue," she said ahead of the August elections.

The opposition accuses the ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party of suppressing dissent and the Dos Santos family of bleeding the country dry through corruption and decades of mismanagement.

Black gold provides 70 percent of Angola's revenues and almost all of its hard currency, but many of the country's citizens are mired in poverty.

Even through the collapse in the oil price in recent years, crude has remained Angola's leading revenue source.

Angola, which along with Nigeria is one of Africa's top oil producers, has been in the grip of an economic crisis since 2014 as the global price of oil has remained flat.

Military vehicles outside Zimbabwe capital as treason claims fly

Yahoo – AFP, Reagan MASHAVAVE, November 14, 2017

President Mugabe and his wife Grace addressed party members after the vice
president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was sacked -- a move that was followed by the
military's warning on Monday (AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

Harare (AFP) - Several armoured vehicles drove down main roads near the Zimbabwean capital Harare Tuesday, as tension erupted between President Robert Mugabe and the military that has been a key buttress to his 37-year reign.

In an incendiary statement, Mugabe's ZANU-PF party accused army chief General Constantino Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct" for challenging Mugabe over the sacking of the vice president.

The public dispute has presented a major test of whether 93-year-old Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, still has a firm grip on power.

Chiwenga had demanded that Mugabe stop purges of senior party figures, including vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa who was dismissed last week.

ZANU-PF said Chiwenga's stance was "clearly calculated to disturb national peace... and suggests treasonable conduct on his part as this was meant to incite insurrection".

Before being ousted, Mnangagwa had clashed repeatedly with Mugabe's wife Grace, 52, who is widely seen as vying with Mnangagwa to be the next president when Mugabe dies.

On Tuesday, several armoured vehicles spotted outside Harare alarmed many residents as Chiwenga had warned of possible military intervention.

The reason for the military presence was not clear, but the vehicles may have been on routine manoeuvres or a deliberate show of force. The army's spokesman was not available to comment.

Army chief Constantino Chiwenga (centre, right) on Monday warned of military
intervention if the purges continued (AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

"I saw a long convoy of military vehicles," a female fruit seller about 10 kilometres (six miles) from central Harare, told AFP, while other witnesses took to social media to confirm the reports.

Mugabe under pressure

Mugabe is the world's oldest head of state, but his frail health has fuelled a bitter succession battle as potential replacements jockey for position.

Some of the army top brass are seen as strongly opposed to Grace Mugabe's apparent emergence as the likely next president.

"We very rarely see tanks on the roads," Derek Matyszak, an analyst at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, told AFP.

"Chiwenga threw down the gauntlet to Mugabe... it would make sense for Chiwenga to organise some military manoeuvres to up the ante.

"It's clear we are entering new territory here."

In speeches this year, Mugabe has often slurred his words, mumbled and paused for long periods.

His lengthy rule has been marked by brutal repression of dissent, mass emigration, vote-rigging and economic collapse since land reforms in 2000.

The main opposition MDC party called for civilian rule to be protected.

"No one wants to see a coup... If the army takes over that will be undesirable. It will bring democracy to a halt," shadow defence minister Gift Chimanikire, told AFP.

ZANU-PF's influential youth league, which supports Grace Mugabe as the next president, said in a statement that army chief Chiwenga must not be allowed to choose Zimbabwe's leaders.

Mnangagwa, seen here at a funeral ceremony in January, fled the country after being 

sacked by Mugabe. The 75-year-old -- whose nickname is 'The Crocodile' -- has strong 

connections with the military and veterans of Zimbabwe's independence war (AFP Photo/

Jekesai NJIKIZANA)

Speculation has been rife in Harare that Mugabe could seek to remove Chiwenga, who is seen as an ally of ousted Mnangagwa.

'Ominous moment'?

The crisis marks an "ominous moment in the ongoing race to succeed" Mugabe, said political analyst Alex Magaisa in an online article.

"(Mugabe) has previously warned the military to stay away from ZANU-PF's succession race.

"His authority over the military has never been tested in this way."

Mnangagwa, 75, was widely viewed as Mugabe's most loyal lieutenant, having worked alongside him for decades.

He fled the country and is thought to be in South Africa after issuing a searing five-page condemnation of Grace's ambition and Mugabe's leadership.

Earlier this year the country was gripped by a bizarre spat between Grace and Mnangagwa that included an alleged ice-cream poisoning incident that laid bare the pair's rivalry.

Mnangagwa took over as vice president from Joice Mujuru who was axed in 2014 after Grace Mugabe launched a campaign accusing her of plotting to topple the president.

Grace Mugabe -- 41 years younger than her husband -- has become increasingly active in public life in what many say is a process to help her eventually take the top job.