Mugabe sworn in for sixth term

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 Mugabe at the ceremony at his State House residence in Harare. Mugabe sworn in for sixth term Official results said Mugabe won all 10 provinces with 85.5 percent 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. Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42 percent, 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. The hastily organized 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. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was invited to the ceremony as a "gesture of engagement", but he rejected it as "meaningless". An opposition spokesman said Mugabe's appointment was "an absolute joke" as he did not have the mandate of the people. 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. Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.

Mugabe sworn in for sixth term

Official results said Mugabe won all 10 provinces with 85.5 percent 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.

Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42 percent, 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.

The hastily organized 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.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was invited to the ceremony as a "gesture of engagement", but he rejected it as "meaningless".

An opposition spokesman said Mugabe's appointment was "an absolute joke" as he did not have the mandate of the people.

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.

Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.