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Mugabe declared landslide winner Defiant Mugabe seals sixth term
(30 minutes later)
Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as Zimbabwe's president after election officials declared a landslide victory for him.Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as Zimbabwe's president after election officials declared a landslide victory for him.
A 21-gun salute and military jet fly-by greeted Mr Mugabe at the ceremony at his State House residence in Harare.A 21-gun salute and military jet fly-by greeted Mr Mugabe at the ceremony at his State House residence in Harare.
Official results said Mr Mugabe won all 10 provinces with 85% of the vote - but there were also many spoiled ballots. Official results said Mr Mugabe won all 10 provinces with 85.5% of the vote - but there were many spoiled ballots.
He was the only candidate to run after the opposition boycotted the vote amid claims of state-sponsored violence.He was the only candidate to run after the opposition boycotted the vote amid claims of state-sponsored violence.
OFFICIAL RESULTS Robert Mugabe: 2,150,269Morgan Tsvangirai: 233,000Spoiled ballots: 131,481Voter turnout: 42.37%Source: Zimbabwe Electoral CommissionOFFICIAL RESULTS Robert Mugabe: 2,150,269Morgan Tsvangirai: 233,000Spoiled ballots: 131,481Voter turnout: 42.37%Source: Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42%, similar to that of the disputed first-round vote in March.Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42%, similar to that of the disputed first-round vote in March.
Independent observers said many of those who did go to the polls voted out of fear, and that thousands of people had spoiled their ballots by defacing them or marking them inaccurately.Independent observers said many of those who did go to the polls voted out of fear, and that thousands of people had spoiled their ballots by defacing them or marking them inaccurately.
Spoiled ballotsSpoiled ballots
The swearing-in ceremony will confirm Mr Mugabe's sixth term as president - extending his 28 years in power. The hastily organised ceremony confirmed Mr Mugabe's sixth term as president - extending his 28 years in power.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was invited to the ceremony as a "gesture of engagement", but he rejected it as "meaningless". "I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe do swear that I will truly serve in the office of president, so help me God," the 84-year-old said, to applause from the gathered dignitaries.
"How can the party give its blessing to something it has rejected?" an opposition spokesman was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
HAVE YOUR SAY If the UN doesn't intervene this time we are truly damnedRejoice, Bulawayo Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If the UN doesn't intervene this time we are truly damnedRejoice, Bulawayo Send us your comments
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was invited to the ceremony as a "gesture of engagement", but he rejected it as "meaningless".
An opposition spokesman said Mr Mugabe's appointment was "an absolute joke" and an act of desperation on the part of the regime.
Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), announced he was pulling out of the election last Sunday citing violence and intimidation against his supporters.Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), announced he was pulling out of the election last Sunday citing violence and intimidation against his supporters.
But his name remained on ballot papers after Zimbabwe's electoral authorities refused to accept his decision.But his name remained on ballot papers after Zimbabwe's electoral authorities refused to accept his decision.
The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says that having attempted to consolidate his position with the ceremony, Mr Mugabe is expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday. Mr Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.
The reaction of Zimbabwe's neighbours in southern Africa will be crucial, our correspondent says. The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, the question now is whether Zimbabwe's neighbours will recognise this election result.
An observer team from the Pan-African Parliament have called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair. An observer team from the Pan-African Parliament has called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair.
On Sunday they called on regional grouping Sadc and the African Union to facilitate talks between the government and opposition. It has called on regional grouping Sadc and the African Union (AU) to facilitate talks between the government and opposition.
International outrageInternational outrage
Earlier, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the international community to intervene in Zimbabwe - by force if necessary.Earlier, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the international community to intervene in Zimbabwe - by force if necessary.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew MarrArchbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew Marr
He said he would support the deployment of a UN force to restore peace in the country.He said he would support the deployment of a UN force to restore peace in the country.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Archbishop Tutu also said that African Union leaders should refuse to recognise Robert Mugabe as legitimate president of Zimbabwe. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Archbishop Tutu also said that AU leaders should refuse to recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.
"If you were to have a unanimous voice, saying quite clearly to Mr Mugabe... you are illegitimate and we will not recognise your administration in any shape or form - I think that would be a very, very powerful signal and would really strengthen the hand of the international community.""If you were to have a unanimous voice, saying quite clearly to Mr Mugabe... you are illegitimate and we will not recognise your administration in any shape or form - I think that would be a very, very powerful signal and would really strengthen the hand of the international community."
There has also been international outrage at events in Zimbabwe.There has also been international outrage at events in Zimbabwe.
US President George W Bush on Saturday instructed US officials to come up with new sanctions against Zimbabwe, and said the US would press for strong action by the UN.US President George W Bush on Saturday instructed US officials to come up with new sanctions against Zimbabwe, and said the US would press for strong action by the UN.
The state-owned Sunday Mail newspaper in Harare said President Mugabe was "a man on an assignment" and that "assignment is yet to be completed; hence his continued stay in office".
We have the power to control parliament, and that is recognised even by Mugabe's Zanu-PF... We must force a transitional agreement for a set time-frame and work towards a new constitution for Zimbabwe Morgan TsvangiraiWe have the power to control parliament, and that is recognised even by Mugabe's Zanu-PF... We must force a transitional agreement for a set time-frame and work towards a new constitution for Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai
In interviews published in British newspapers on Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said he would push for negotiations with Mr Mugabe on a new constitution and fresh elections.In interviews published in British newspapers on Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said he would push for negotiations with Mr Mugabe on a new constitution and fresh elections.
"We have the power to control parliament, and that is recognised even by Mugabe's Zanu-PF... We must force a transitional agreement for a set time-frame and work towards a new constitution for Zimbabwe," he told the Mail on Sunday."We have the power to control parliament, and that is recognised even by Mugabe's Zanu-PF... We must force a transitional agreement for a set time-frame and work towards a new constitution for Zimbabwe," he told the Mail on Sunday.
"I am confident we can achieve that if international pressure keeps up," he added."I am confident we can achieve that if international pressure keeps up," he added.
Mr Mugabe, 84, came second to Mr Tsvangirai in the first round of the presidential vote in March. Mr Mugabe came second to Mr Tsvangirai in the first round of the presidential vote in March.
Since then, the MDC says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the Zanu-PF.Since then, the MDC says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the Zanu-PF.
The government blames the MDC for the violence.The government blames the MDC for the violence.
Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.
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