New Zimbabwe President Needs to Reconcile With Foes - Opposition Coalition CODE

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has been sworn in as the new president of Zimbabwe following the resignation of his predecessor Robert Mugabe, should resolve the issues between himself and his political rivals, Mjobisa Noko, the spokesman for Zimbabwe's Coalition of Democrats (CODE) group of opposition parties, told Sputnik.

"If he is genuine, he should start to negotiate with other players for a transitional authority. He should not dictate the pace here," Noko said.

The former vice president, who is now the leader of the ruling Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party, will need to start working on reforms to prove himself, the politician added, noting the need to fight corruption, nepotism and many other criminal practices.

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Mnangagwa, who was a likely successor of the then incumbent president, was dismissed by Mugabe from his position as vice president on November 6 and forced to flee to South Africa. As Mnangagwa enjoyed army's support, the military entered Harare on armored vehicles, blocked access to the government building and seized the television center. The army's actions resulted in Mugabe's impeachment and his longtime supporter rising to power.

According to Noko, the CODE regards the political situation in the country following President Robert Mugabe's resignation with caution, since it does not believe that Zimbabweans have been freed from oppression yet.

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The CODE spokesman said ascendancy of Mnangagwa to the country's leadership was the result of collective efforts "of all and sundry in the political narrative."

"The jaws of the Crocodile awaits the flesh of Zimbabwe," Noko noted.

The spokesman also stressed that Mnangagwa, who has been working closely with Mugabe for a long time, and his team needed to bring a fresh perspective to Zimbabwean politics.

"[We want] government that needs to respect the constitution, a government that does not believe in retribution. His government must be an inclusive one. Both the stockholders and stakeholders should be involved in the new narrative… Right now all right thinking Zimbabweans await with gist. Mnangagwa's history is fraught with blood along the way and hence he needs to cleanse himself of this lest no Zimbabwean will be inspired and forgiveness will be a far cry," Noko pointed out.

On Sunday, the country's ruling party, Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF), dismissed Mugabe from his post as party leader and made him step down amid impeachment proceedings.