The event at Harare Stadium was enlivened by the performance of renowned foreign artistes.
Robert Mugabe was on August 22, 2013 sworn in as Zimbabwe's President for a five-year term before 60,000 jubilant supporters and guests at the National Stadium in the capital, Harare, the AFP news agency reported. It is the seventh term of office for the 89-year-old leader.
The President pledged to observe, uphold and defend the Constitution in an oath administered by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku. After Chief Justice Chidyausiku declared him inaugurated, crowds erupted into cheers and released balloons adorned with colours of the national flag, CNN said. Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were among leaders who attended the event.
Reports said there was an air of excitement at the National Stadium prior to the inauguration. One of the banners in the stadium read: "It's Africa versus Europe with Zimbabwe as the new battle front!" Supporters clad in clothes emblazoned with the image of the man who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, filled the 60,000-seater venue. BBC said some 40 Heads of State and government were invited to attend the high-profile inauguration ceremony. The day was declared a public holiday to allow thousands of people to attend the swearing in ceremony that was enlivened by renowned artistes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zambia and Jamaica.
Yesterday’s ceremony was delayed for several days by a court petition filed by Mugabe’s main rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, over allegations of electoral fraud. But the Constitutional Court later dismissed the case, declaring Mugabe's re-election "free, fair and credible" after he won with 61 per cent of the vote as against 34 per cent for Tsvangirai in the July 31, 2013 first round of polling. Tsvangirai and his top aides boycotted yesterday’s inauguration.
Mugabe last week told his critics to "commit suicide" if they could not accept his re-election, CNN recalled yesterday. Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist from the University of Zimbabwe, said the event was seen by Mugabe’s supporters as a victory after 13 years of struggle against Western powers.
