The World : Mugabe Gets Presidency

Prime Minister Robert Mugabe was proclaimed Zimbabwe’s first executive president at a short session of both houses of Parliament in Harare. Mugabe, 63, will be sworn in today, taking over from the titular president, Canaan Banana, who has been head of state for the past seven years. The powerful new presidency was created by a constitutional reform abolishing the post of prime minister and giving full powers to the head of state. Mugabe’s old political rival Joshua Nkomo, who agreed to merge his party with Mugabe’s last week, was on hand and applauded Mugabe’s elevation.