Tsvangirai takes office, pledges democratization

As Morgan Tsvangirai was finally sworn in as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe yesterday the mood of national joy was tempered by an awareness of the reality that the government faces huge challenges.

In his inauguration address the new Prime Minister called the ceremony a very significant milestone on our democratic journey, but nevertheless only "the beginning".

He was being sworn in on the same day, 19 years ago that Nelson Mandela walked free from prison Tsvangirai said, but he added it was also the day from which followed another four years of struggle before free elections.

Tsvangirai referred often to Mugabe's record, and the betrayal of the people in his address. "A culture of entitlement and impunity has brought our nation to the brink of a dark abyss. This must end today" he declared.

As a first priority, Tsvangirai said his government must commit itself to implement Zimbabwe's democratization agenda. "Through parliament, the people's representatives in the MDC and Zanu-PF, will pass legislation to restore the people's freedoms, create the mechanism through which a people's constitution can be created, reestablish the rule of law and promote the independent media. Our liberation war was fought to provide political freedoms to all Zimbabweans and we intend to restore them as a matter of urgency.