津巴布韦新总统宣誓就职并承诺改革

Zimbabwe’s New President Promises Reform, Urges Forgiveness

Zimbabwe has its first new leader in nearly 40 years.

Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn-in as the country's president on Friday, ending 37 years of rule by Robert Mugabe. Mugabe resigned on Tuesday after intense pressure from the military and the ruling party.

The new president spoke¹ to a crowd at the 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium in Harare. He praised the former president, and promised to hold democratic elections next year.

Mnangagwa called Mugabe the "father of our nation," but also said he made some mistakes while serving as president. He added that Zimbabweans should “never remain hostages” of their past, and urged them to begin rebuilding “our great country.”

Changes to government policy

Mnangagwa says he wants to compensate² farmers who lost their land under Mugabe's rule.

Mugabe critics say Zimbabwe’s land reform program has caused hunger in a country once considered the most fertile in southern Africa. Under the program, the government forced most experienced white commercial farmers off their land.

The president said he would try to pay the country’s international debts, ease restrictions³ on imports, and make it easier for Zimbabweans to get hard currency. Currently, nine forms of currency are accepted, yet the country has a shortage of ready money or cash.

Mnangagwa’s presidential inauguration⁴ was a surprise for many people, both in Africa and around the world. Earlier this month, on November 5, he was ousted⁵ from his position as vice⁶ president as part of a power struggle with Mugabe's wife, Grace.

Two weeks later, the 75-year-old politician became the leader of the southern African nation.

Known as the Crocodile, Mnangagwa has a strong relationship with Zimbabwe's army. Among the many tests he faces will be rebuilding the country's economy, which suffered during Mugabe’s rule.

Previous government officials

The former president and his wife have been given immunity⁷ from legal action.

The military took control of the government after Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa, and suggested he would appoint his 52-year-old wife as vice president.

Human rights groups have accused Mugabe of unfairly influencing elections and permitting corruption⁸. They also say he was responsible for the torture and killing⁹ of thousands of political opponents during his long rule.

American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has urged Zimbabwe's new leadership to hold free and fair elections. "The people of Zimbabwe must choose their own leaders," he said.

I'm Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

currency – n. the money that country uses; something being used as money

commercial – adj. of or related to the buying and selling of goods or services

compensate - v. to give money or something else of value to (someone) in return for something (such as work) or as payment for something lost or damaged

crocodile – n. a large reptile¹⁰ that has a long body, thick skin, and a long, thin mouth with sharp teeth and that lives in the water in regions with hot weather

immunity – n. special protection from what is required for most people by law

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

5 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

7 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

8 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

9 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

10 reptile   

n.爬行动物；两栖动物

参考例句：

• The frog is not a true reptile.青蛙并非真正的爬行动物。
• So you should not be surprised to see someone keep a reptile as a pet.所以，你不必惊奇有人养了一只爬行动物作为宠物。