Ex-army chief sworn in as Zimbabwe's VP

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Zimbabwe's former army commander, who led the military takeover that helped end Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule, was sworn in as one of the country's two vice presidents on Thursday.

General Constantino Chiwenga, 61, took the oath of office in Harare, pledging to be "faithful" to Zimbabwe and to "obey, uphold and defend the constitution."

While dressed in a black suit at a ceremony held on the lawns of the presidential residence, Chinwenga said "I will discharge my duties with all my strength and to the best of my knowledge and ability."

(From L) Zimbabwe's former army commander and newly appointed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe's newly appointed Vice President Kembo Mohadi attend the swearing-in ceremony of the vice presidents in Harare, December 28, 2017. /VCG Photo

The new president Emmerson Mnangagwa, dozens of government officials, military and police chiefs as well as traditional leaders, attended the event.

Chiwenga retired from the military last week, roughly a month after the army temporarily took control of the country on Nov. 15, culminating in Mugabe's resignation six days later.

Mnangagwa, who had been sacked from his job as vice president by Mugabe only a few weeks earlier, then took over as the head of state.

Mugabe, 93, was ousted from power after the military stepped in, following internal feuding and factionalism that escalated over who would succeed him in the ruling ZANU-PF party. Mugabe's wife Grace had expressed an interest in succeeding her husband.

Retired Commander of Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) General Constatino Chiwenga after taking an oath of office as vice president during the swearing in ceremony at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, December 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Chiwenga's ascent to the country's second most powerful job, viewed as a reward for his role in ousting Mugabe, has further consolidated the military's power in the political space of the southern African country.

Several other senior army officers have been appointed to ministerial or influential party positions in recent weeks.

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Source(s): AFP