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WORLD NEWS Thursday 23 November 2017

Zimbabwe’s incoming leader Mnangagwa returns home to cheers

thing” after years of eco- resignation. They cheered pushed aside as unpopu-
nomic crisis. Nyarugwa said and danced in the streets lar first lady Grace Mugabe
he had several university of Harare late into Tuesday positioned herself to re-
degrees but no job, a com- night, thrilled to be rid of a place him and succeed
mon theme among Zimba- leader whose early prom- her husband.
bwe’s well-educated pop- ise after the end of white That led the military to step
ulation. minority rule in 1980 was in a week ago, opening
“We have to try him and overtaken by economic the door for the ruling party
see,” he said of Mnangag- collapse, government dys- and the people to publicly
wa. “If he doesn’t come up function and human rights turn against the president.
with something, we need violations. It was not clear what
to change him as well.” Now the focus turns to the 93-year-old Robert
Zimbabweans were still Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s Mugabe and his wife would
reeling from Mugabe’s longtime deputy who was do next. q

Zimbabwe’s President in waiting Emmerson Mnangagwa, greets
supporters gathered outside the Zanu-PF party headquarters in
Harare, Zimbabwe Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017.
(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

By FARAI MUTSAKA Constantino Chiwenga,
CHRIS TORCHIA “who have been able to
Associated Press manage this process very
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) peacefully.”
— Zimbabwe’s incoming Speaking with his wife,
leader Emmerson Mnan- Auxilia, by his side, Mnan-
gagwa made a trium- gagwa was flanked by two
phant return Wednesday, rows of security agents,
telling cheering supporters who appeared alert to any
that the country is witness- possible security threat.
ing “a new and unfolding After emerging from hiding
democracy.” in neighboring South Af-
“I appeal to all genuine rica, Mnangagwa met with
people of Zimbabwe to its President Jacob Zuma
come together,” Mnan- and flew to Zimbabwe in a
gagwa said. “We are all private jet.
Zimbabweans ... we need The 75-year-old Mnangag-
peace in our country and wa fled Zimbabwe after
jobs, jobs, jobs.” Mugabe fired him, lead-
That was received enthu- ing the military to move in
siastically by the crowd at and kick off a series of ex-
the headquarters of the rul- traordinary events ending
ing ZANU-PF party, as Zim- in Mugabe stepping down
babwe’s economic crisis amid impeachment pro-
helped bring the downfall ceedings.
of Robert Mugabe, who The jubilant crowd in the
resigned Tuesday after 37 capital, Harare, celebrat-
years in power. ed his first public remarks.
Mnangagwa said he had Some carried signs with his
been in constant contact image, suggesting a orga-
with military leaders dur- nization behind the festive
ing the tumultuous two turnout. Signs read “Our
weeks between his firing Hero, Our Hope” and “Wel-
by Mugabe and his return come back, Our Hero.”
to lead Zimbabwe. He will One man hoping to see
be sworn in Friday to serve Mnangagwa, Godwin
Mugabe’s remaining term Nyarugwa, said he was
until elections next year. “very ecstatic” and that
He praised the military “we need change in this
and commander Gen. country, change in every-