Mnangagwa, 75, hailed the “voice of the people” at Harare’s national stadium and vowed to protect the rights of all 16 million citizens.

Soon to-be president, Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia arrive at Harare’s national stadium

 Zimbabweans wait in anticipation for the presidential inauguration ceremony of Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare, Friday

Speaking to the ecstatic crowd, he paid tribute to Mugabe, describing him as “a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and leader”. Still, he made note of the “errors” made under Mugabe’s rule.
Mnangagwa said: “I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe.”
Insisting he felt “deeply humbled” to take the role, Mnangagwa added : “The task at hand is that of rebuilding our country.

The new president hailed Mugabe as his ‘mentor’ as he took the oath of office, and promised to reviving a once-prosperous economy that has collapsed amid mismanagement and international sanctions

Ready for the change: Women hold portraits of Mnangagwa

Spectators buzz with excitement before the presidential inauguration ceremony begins

“I am required to serve our country as the president of all citizens regardless of colour, creed, religion, tribe, totem or political affiliation.”
Mnangagwa was once one of Mugabe’s closest allies and one of the most powerful officials within Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party.
But on November 6, he lost out in a simmering succession battle with the former first lady, Grace Mugabe, 52. subsequently he was sacked from his post as vice president for showing “traits of disloyalty”.

Presidential walk: The newly sworn-in leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, inspects guard of honor by the military after taking the oath of office

Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace having their first photop since the former dictator was granted immunity as part of a resignation deal, was ‘Too tired’ to attend the inauguration of his successor

Emmerson and his wife Auxillia wave to cheering crowd at Friday’s inauguration

The military was the vanguard of the transition in power: Army General Constantino Chiwenga,  who cautioned Mugabe the military would intervene before it took place, is seen arriving for Emmerson’s inauguration

Zimbabwe’s judges take their places before Mnangagwa takes the oath of office, Friday in Harare

Time for a change. Attendees gesture as they wait for the inauguration ceremony to swear in Mnangagwa as the country’s new president commences.

Hero’s welcome: The cheering throng that welcomed the president to-be as he returned from exile on Wednesday

At the behest of the military, Mugabe’s 37-year reign came to a dramatic end on Tuesday. The world’s oldest serving head of state resigned as parliament started to the impeachment process against him, a week to the day after the army stepped in to seize power. He had reneged on a negotiated resignation package two days earlier, even as the ruling ZANU-PF party, dropped him as the leader.
At 93, he was the world’s oldest head of state and was the only leader the country had known since its independence in 1980.
News emerged overnight that Mugabe was told by the new leadership team his involvement in the massacring of 20,000 tribespeople would be exposed if he did not volunteer to resign. 

The end of the Road for the planned Mugabe dynasty in Zimbabwe

After taking the oath Mnangagwa received the chain and sash of office, and took salutes and pledges of allegiance from the country’s military and security chiefs.
He made a range of promises with the aim of reviving a once-prosperous economy that has collapsed amid mismanagement and international sanctions, adding that he will reach out for more foreign investment.
‘In this global world no nation is, can, or need be an island. All foreign investments will be safe in Zimbabwe,’ he said.
President Mnangagwa insisted it was time to rebuild the nation from the foundations Mugabe had laid down.  Earlier in the week, he said Zimbabweans were witnessing ‘a new and unfolding full democracy’, although critics say he is a hardliner in the ruling ZANU-PF who gained power in a de facto military coup.
Known as The Crocodile for his ruthlessness, he has also been accused of overseeing the infamous Ndbeleland ethnic massacres and political violence.

They’re gone! Jubilant citizens show their joy on Friday

Zimbabweans had gathered early ahead of the presidential inauguration of Mnangagwa – the country’s second leader since independence from white minority rule in 1980.
The sustained pressure on 93-year-old Mugabe to quit from the military, the ruling party and massive demonstrations, appears to have taken its toll on the former dictator.
Both Mugabe and Mnangagwa came to the agreement that the outgoing leader would not attend today’s event in order for him to rest because he was too tired.
Mnangagwa vowed to tackle corruption synonymous with Mugabe’s long reign, saying that ‘the culture of government must change, and change now’.
The incoming Zimbabwe leader assured the former president he and his family would be safe in the country when the two men spoke for the first time since Mnangagwa returned home this week.