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Mugabe is sworn in for sixth term Mugabe is sworn in for sixth term
(40 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 85.5% of the vote - but there were many spoiled ballots. Official results show 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 hastily organised ceremony confirmed 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.
"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.
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". In a speech that followed, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.
An opposition spokesman said Mr Mugabe's appointment was "an absolute joke" as he did not have the mandate of the people. "It is my hope that sooner rather than later, we shall, as diverse political parties, hold consultation towards... dialogue as we minimise our differences and enhance the area of unity and co-operation," he said.
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. The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai - who won the first round - said that any negotiation should be based on the result of the March vote.
He told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "We believe the 29 March election reflected the will of the people and that that should be the basis upon which any negotiation... for a transition should be based."
Mr Tsvangirai refused to attend the swearing-in. His Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party described Mr Mugabe's appointment as a big joke as he did not have the mandate of the people.
Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the contest last week, citing widespread violence and intimidation against his supporters.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew Marr
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.
Mr Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday. President Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.
The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, the question now is whether Zimbabwe's neighbours will recognise this election result.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 has 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.
It has called on regional grouping Sadc and the African Union (AU) to facilitate talks between the government and opposition. It has urged the 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, appealed to the AU not to recognise Robert Mugabe as president.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew Marr Archbishop Tutu told the BBC that Mr Mugabe should have no role in a future government, and said that 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 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."
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 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was time for strong international action to end the violence in Zimbabwe.
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 Tsvangirai Ms Rice, meeting her Chinese counterpart in Beijing, urged members of the UN Security Council to back proposals for an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mr Mugabe's associates.
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. It follows President George W Bush's instructions on Saturday to US officials to come up with new sanctions against Zimbabwe.
"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. 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.
"I am confident we can achieve that if international pressure keeps up," he added.
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.
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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