Zimbabwe: Get to Know New President Emmerson Mnangagwa

After 37 years of Mugabe’s reign as president, Zimbabwe finally welcomes a new president.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as president of Zimbabwe today.

Emmerson is a qualified lawyer. He was born on September 15, 1942. Mnangagwa served as the First Vice President from December 2014 until his dismissal in November 2017. He was dismissed by Ex-President Mugabe, when he was opposed by the Generation 40 Party led Ex-First lady, Grace Mugabe. They said he was allegedly plotting against the government.

Mnangagwa then fled to South Africa. After he fled to South Africa, his ally, the Chief of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Constantino Chiwenga launched a soft coup. This coup was launched to end Mugabe’s reign as President.

Mnangagwa was then considered to be the successor of Mugabe, as he is a strong and senior member of the ZANU-PF Party.

Mugabe became president in 1980. He is seen as a hero because he brought independence and an end to white-minority rule but to some he is also is the villain who collapsed the country’s economy and reduced their freedoms.

Mnangagwa is married and has two children.