HARARE: Zimbabwe’s incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa made a triumphant return on Wednesday, telling cheering supporters that the country is witnessing “a new, unfolding democracy”.

“I appeal to all genuine people of Zimbabwe to come together,” said Mnangagwa. “We are all Zimbabweans ... we need peace in our country and jobs, jobs, jobs.”

This was received very enthusiastically by the crowd of supporters at the headquarters of the ruling ZANU-PF party, as Zimbabwe’s continuing economic crisis helped bring the downfall of Robert Mugabe, who resigned Tuesday.

Mnangagwa said he was in constant contact with military leaders during the tumultuous two weeks between his firing by Mugabe and his return to the country as the new leader.

He praised military and commander Gen. Constantino Chiwenga “who have been able to manage this process very peacefully”.

While speaking with his wife Auxilia by his side, Mnangagwa was surrounded by two circles of security agents, who appeared alert to any possible security threat.

After emerging from hiding in South Africa, Mnangagwa met with South African president Jacob Zuma and then flew to Zimbabwe in a private jet. He will be sworn in Friday as Zimbabwe’s new president to serve Mugabe’s remaining term until elections next year.

The 75-year-old Mnangagwa fled Zimbabwe after Mugabe fired him earlier this month, leading the military to move in and kick off a series of extraordinary events ending in Mugabe stepping down amid impeachment proceedings.

The jubilant crowd of more than a thousand at the party offices in central Harare celebrated his first public remarks.

Some carried signs with images of him, suggesting a organization behind the festive turnout. Signs read “Our Hero, Our Hope” and “Welcome back, Our Hero.”

Another referred to the initials of his first names Emmerson Dambudzo, saying “ED for a New Zimbabwe.”

One man hoping to see Mnangagwa, Godwin Nyarugwa, said he was “very ecstatic” and that “we need change in this country, change in everything” after years of economic crisis. Nyarugwa said he had several university degrees but no job, a common theme among Zimbabwe’s well-educated population.

Zimbabweans were still reeling from Mugabe’s resignation. They cheered and danced in the streets of Harare late into the night, thrilled to be rid of a leader whose early promise after the end of white minority rule in 1980 was overtaken by economic collapse, government dysfunction and human rights violations.

Now the focus turns to Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s longtime deputy who was pushed aside as unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe positioned herself to replace him and succeed her husband. Mnangagwa fled the country, claiming threats against his life.

That led the military to step in a week ago, opening the door for the ruling party and the people to publicly turn against the president.

It was not clear what the 93-year-old Robert Mugabe and his wife would do next. Mugabe, who was the world’s oldest head of state, said in his resignation letter that legal procedures should be followed to install a new president “no later than tomorrow.”

Zimbabweans woke up to the first day in 37 years without Mugabe in power.

“I think this change of government is like a new breath of fresh air right across the country,” said Patrick Musira on the streets of the capital. “Everyone was engulfed with excitement and they are looking for a better future, a brighter future with work.”

Zimbabwe’s new leaders are faced with a once-prosperous nation whose economy has collapsed, sending frustrated young people into desperate work as street vendors. Many have left the country altogether.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017