Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as the new President of Zimbabwe...

Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as Zimbabwe's president on Friday, marking the final chapter of a political drama that toppled Robert Mugabe after a military takeover.

In his inauguration speech, the hardline politician known as The Crocodile, referred to his predecessor as the 'Father of the nation' and urged his countrymen to let bygones be bygones after 37 years of dictatorship in the country.

Mnangagwa, until recently one of Mugabe's closest allies, took the oath of office at the national sports stadium on the outskirts of Harare to an explosion of cheering from the full-to-capacity crowd. 

He promised what he called democratic elections next year as he told the thousands in the stands: 'We should never remain hostages of our past.' 

Among his other pledges, Mnangagwa also vowed to fight poverty and corruption as well as pay compensation to farmers who lost land under the Mugabe regime.
Mugabe, 93, was not present to hear his successor's praises. He was said to be too tired to attend.

Addressing the Zimbabwe's newly sworn-in President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised outgoing leader Robert Mugabe as 'the father of the nation' during his inauguration address on Friday.
This despite news emerging overnight that Mugabe was told by the new leadership team his involvement in the massacring of 20,000 tribespeople would be exposed if he did not volunteer to resign.  

'Let me at this stage pay tribute to one of the, and the only surviving, founding fathers of our nation, comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe,' Mnangagwa said in front of a crowd of tens of thousands at his inauguration ceremony.

'Let us all accept and acknowledge his immense contribution to the building of our nation.'

Mnangagwa vowed to tackle corruption synonymous with Mugabe's long reign, saying that 'the culture of government must change, and change now'.

He made a range of promises with the aim of reviving a once-prosperous economy that has collapsed amid mismanagement and international sanctions, adding that he will reach out for more foreign investment.

'In this global world no nation is, can, or need be an island. All foreign investments will be safe in Zimbabwe,' he said. 

 The Crocodile insisted it was time to rebuild the nation from the foundations Mugabe had laid down.  
After taking the oath Mnangagwa received the chain and sash of office, and took salutes and pledges of allegiance from the country's military and security chiefs.
Mnangagwa, 75, had said this week that Zimbabweans were witnessing 'a new and unfolding full democracy', although critics say he is a hardliner in the ruling ZANU-PF who gained power in a de facto military coup.
He is known as The Crocodile for his ruthlessness and is accused of overseeing ethnic massacres and political violence. 
The incoming Zimbabwe leader assured the former president he and his family would be safe in the country when the two men spoke for the first time since Mnangagwa returned home this week.
He arrived at his inauguration at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this morning to a cheering crowd alongside the soon-to-be First Lady of Zimbabwe Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa raised his fist in response and the enormous crowd jumped to its feet and erupted with shouting and singing.   
Zimbabweans had gathered early ahead of the presidential inauguration of Mnangagwa - the country's second leader since independence from white minority rule in 1980. 
Mugabe succumbed to pressure to quit from the military, the ruling party and massive demonstrations.
And it appears the chaotic week has taken its toll on the former dictator.
Both Mugabe and Mnangagwa came to the agreement that the outgoing leader would not attend today's event in order for him to rest because he was too tired.
The pair were pictured inside their Blue Roof mansion in Zimbabwe alongside the aides who helped secure their bumper retirement package. 
A government source claimed Mugabe, 93, said he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile, so negotiated a deal which included a pension, holiday and transport allowance, health insurance and security.
The tipping point appears to be Mugabe's realisation he would be impeached, which prompted him to come to the bargaining table to avoid an 'undignified' ousting.
Mnangagwa, a former justice and defence minister, was a key Mugabe confidant for decades until they fell out because of the presidential ambitions of Mugabe's wife, Grace.
Widely known as The Crocodile, is seen as a smart, ruthless politician, and many question if he will be able to bring the change the country craves.