Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as president of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) takes his oath of office with the Chief Justice Luke Malaba in Harare on August 26, 2018. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP

Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially sworn in as president of Zimbabwe on Sunday after winning a bitterly contested election that marked the country's first vote since strongman Robert Mugabe was ousted from power.

Mnangagwa, whose victory in the July 30 polls was challenged by the main opposition, pledged to "protect and promote the rights of Zimbabweans" in an inauguration ceremony attended by thousands of supporters at a stadium in Harare.