Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's incoming president, comes in facing high expectations following nearly four decades of rule under Mugabe. Mnangagwa has extended an invitation to citizens regardless of their political affiliation to work with him to revive the country.

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA INCOMING PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE "I pledge myself to be your servant. I appeal to all genuine, patriotic Zimbabweans to come together, we work together. None is more important than the other. We are all Zimbabweans."

The new 75-year-old leader was known as the the crocodile because of his reputation for patience and political cunning. His rise to the top began in the war of liberation in the 1970s, when he fought alongside Robert Mugabe. He was elected as Mugabe's special assistant in 1977, becoming head of both the civil and military divisions of the ruling Zanu-PF party.  

Mnangagwa's loyalty was rewarded with a seat in the country's first post-independence cabinet in 1980. He later became the minister of defense and the minister of justice. His political career reached its peak in 2014, when he sworn in as Mugabe's vice president. But their honeymoon came to an end earlier this month, after Mugabe surprisingly sacked Mnangagwa, accusing Mnangagwa of plotting to replace him as president.

Mnangagwa fled the country but insisted his innocence. Mnangagwa has strong military support, and his removal triggered the military takeover that forced Mugabe out. Following Mugabe's resignation, Mnangagwa was nominated by the ruling party for the presidency and appointed by the parliament. He will serve Mugabe's remaining term until the 2018 presidential election.