Zimbabwe - as it happened: Emmerson Mnangagwa inaugurated as President while Mugabe barred from attending

Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as new President of Zimbabwe

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been inaugurated as Zimbabwe's new President.

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at Harare's National Sports Stadium for the swearing-in event, following the ouster of Robert Mugabe.

Former defence chief Mr Mnangagwa is just the second president in independent Zimbabwe's 37-year existence.

Mr Mugabe had sacked the incoming leader as vice president, leading the country's army to move against him.

Mr Mnangagwa was a key Mugabe confidant for decades until they fell out because of the presidential ambitions of Mr Mugabe's wife, Grace. Despite his long association with the government, Mr Mnangagwa has promised democracy.

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Key Points

• 'Emotional' Mugabe blocked from attending inauguration of man replacing him
• Robert Mugabe to receive diplomatic immunity as part of Zimbabwe President's resignation deal
• Now that Mugabe is gone, this is how Zimbabwe can rebuild itself

[24 November 2017 08:21 · Jon Sharman]

Emmerson Mnangagwa has assured Robert Mugabe and his family of their "maximum security" as they remain in the country, according to local media.

The two former allies also agreed Mr Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, would not attend today's swearing-in event because he "needed time to rest," the state-run Herald newspaper reported.

[24 November 2017 08:26 · Jon Sharman]

Crowds cheered the military commander who put Robert Mugabe under house arrest, General Constantino Chiwenga, as he arrived at the inauguration of the country's new leader.

The once-feared military has seen an outpouring of support from some Zimbabweans after it moved in last week to stop Mr Mugabe's unpopular wife Grace from positioning herself to succeed him as president.

AP

[24 November 2017 08:31 · Jon Sharman]

Mr Mnangagwa is due to be sworn in at about 11.35am local time, Zimbabwean media says. Chief justice Luke Malaba will adminster the oath of office a little over an hour from now.

[24 November 2017 08:34 · Jon Sharman]

Crowds have gathered at Harare's National Sports Stadium, a 60,000-seater venue, for the ceremony.

[24 November 2017 08:37 · Jon Sharman]

The military parade at the presidential inauguration ceremony of Emmerson Mnangagwa in the capital Harare (AP) 

[24 November 2017 08:43 · Jon Sharman]

Emmerson Mnangagwa: After Robert Mugabe resigns, who is the Zanu-PF politician favourite to succeed him as Zimbabwe President?

The 75-year-old Mr Mnangagwa is a veteran of the brutal struggle to end white minority rule in Zimbabwe, which saw the rise of a new ruling elite with Mr Mugabe as its leader, writes The Independent's Caroline Mortimer.

[24 November 2017 08:46 · Jon Sharman]

Mr Mnangagwa has arrived at the stadium to cheers from onlookers.

[24 November 2017 08:54 · Jon Sharman]

The incoming president raised his fist as the stadium crowd stood for his arrival.

[24 November 2017 08:55 · Jon Sharman]

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), an intergovernmental organisation, said on Friday that it was ready to work closely with Zimbabwe's incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government.

SADC is a 16-country organisation which is currently chaired by South Africa.

Reuters

[24 November 2017 08:56 · Rory Stewart]

Excellent meeting with Zimbabwean civil society and technical experts on future elections in Harare this morning https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPYj5b5WkAAKCiJ.jpg