Mnangagwa promises 'a new democracy' in Zimbabwe
He reiterated that he had "information that there were plans" to assassinate him "only two hours after receiving the dismissal letter" as vice president.
Former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who will replace the resigned Robert Mugabe as provisional president of Zimbabwe, has assured today that his followers are "witnesses of the beginning of a new democracy" in the country.
In his first speech after being appointed provisional president by his ruling party, the African National Union of Zimbabwe-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Mnangagwa has thanked "the discipline and pacifism", these days by the citizens, to whom he has promised "economic growth, peace and work".
"With the cooperation and support of our friends in the region, in Africa and beyond the continent, we managed to grow our economy," he said in reference to an economic moment in the country, which lost its own currency after hyperinflation of 2008.
"I promise to serve you," Mnangagwa stressed, before asking "all the patriotic Zimbabweans to work together and work together" in a new stage for the country in which "nobody more than anyone".
The former vice president, whose inauguration ceremony as head of state was held this Friday, has indicated that the leaders with whom they have had contact, such as the South African Jacob Zuma, have applauded the attitude of the citizens of Zimbabwe during this process.
The 75-year-old political veteran has also thanked the Army for "the peaceful way in which he managed the process", to the final fall of Mugabe and has revealed that he maintained "constant contact" with the high command of the Armed Forces.
In his brief speech, he referred to Mugabe as "former president" and reiterated that he had "information that plans existed" to assassinate him "only two hours after receiving the dismissal letter" as vice president, on November 6.
His resignation was forced by the ZANU-PF faction known as G40, which supported the aircraft of the first lady, Grace Mugabe, to become the successor of her husband in power.
The next president has arrived in Zimbabwe today by air, two weeks after being dismissed as vice president and exiled in South Africa.
Mugabe, 93, yesterday put an end to 37 years of mandate while the Parliament debated the process to dismiss him, after having lost the support of ZANU-PF, which left him as number one to replace him with Mnangagwa, and the Army, that kept him held since the uprising of the night from November 14 to 15