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Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has reportedly said that it is planning to "inaugurate" its leader Nelson Chamisa as the legitimately elected president of Zimbabwe, following the disputed July 30 elections.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, Chamisa confirmed the development when he addressed his supporters in Chitungwiza over the weekend.
The "inauguration" was scheduled to take place during his party's upcoming 19th anniversary celebrations.
“Next week, the MDC family will celebrate its 19th Anniversary. As a party, we sat down and discussed the issue on election theft. We want to conclude this matter,” Chamisa was quoted as saying.
“The leadership is saying that the person who was voted for by the people should be inaugurated by the people.
“We are not joking; this is not a joke. Yes, you can have the military might, but no military might can defeat the popular vote.
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“You can have false institutions but; no false institution can ever replace a popular will.”
Chamisa lost the presidential vote to President Emmerson Mnangagwa by 44.3% to 50.7%, respectively.
Mnangagwa’s victory was challenged by the MDC, but in a unanimous decision, the country’s constitutional court approved his win, as reported by AFP.
Mnangagwa was then officially sworn in as president of Zimbabwe on August 26 and has pledged to "protect and promote the rights of Zimbabweans".
Voice of America quoted Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda as saying that his boss’ “swearing-in” would be conducted by Zimbabweans and not the country’s chief justice or his deputy, “who are supposed to administer the oath of office for a president as stipulated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe”.
Sibanda maintained that such moves were not illegal in the southern African country, saying the people of Zimbabwe had the right to install a president of their choice.
