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Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa: We would accept election defeat Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa: We would accept election defeat
(35 minutes later)
Emmerson Mnangagwa - Zimbabwe's new president - has told the BBC his party would accept defeat should Zanu-PF lose the election later this year.Emmerson Mnangagwa - Zimbabwe's new president - has told the BBC his party would accept defeat should Zanu-PF lose the election later this year.
Speaking to Mishal Husain, he said: "If we lose elections, that's it."Speaking to Mishal Husain, he said: "If we lose elections, that's it."
Mr Mnangagwa - who become president last year after Robert Mugabe was ousted - reiterated his pledge for "free, fair and transparent elections". Mr Mnangagwa - who became president last year after Robert Mugabe was ousted - reiterated his pledge for "free, fair and transparent elections".
He also said he would work with Zimbabwe's other political leaders to ensure the vote was free of violence.He also said he would work with Zimbabwe's other political leaders to ensure the vote was free of violence.
Mr Mnangagwa, who has been accused of organising the violence which has blighted some of Zimbabwe's previous elections, said the vote would be held before July.Mr Mnangagwa, who has been accused of organising the violence which has blighted some of Zimbabwe's previous elections, said the vote would be held before July.
He is hoping to get the support of Zimbabweans at the ballot later this year with his renewed focus on boosting the country's economy.He is hoping to get the support of Zimbabweans at the ballot later this year with his renewed focus on boosting the country's economy.
However, he said he would accept the will of the people. However, he said he would accept the will of the people, adding any Zimbabwean citizen over the age of 18, whether they lived at home or abroad, could vote.
"Whichever party wins the election will proceed to take the reins of power," he said."Whichever party wins the election will proceed to take the reins of power," he said.
Golf diplomacy for TrumpGolf diplomacy for Trump
The interview took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Mr Mnangagwa has travelled to spread the message that "Zimbabwe is open for business".The interview took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Mr Mnangagwa has travelled to spread the message that "Zimbabwe is open for business".
The new president - the first Zimbabwean leader to attend the event - said he would be willing to work with US President Donald Trump, who was roundly criticised for labelling African countries "shitholes" earlier this month.The new president - the first Zimbabwean leader to attend the event - said he would be willing to work with US President Donald Trump, who was roundly criticised for labelling African countries "shitholes" earlier this month.
Mr Trump has denied using those words.Mr Trump has denied using those words.
"There should not be an enemy I cannot talk to," he said. "It is a question of international relations. If he came here, I would be able to talk to him."There should not be an enemy I cannot talk to," he said. "It is a question of international relations. If he came here, I would be able to talk to him.
"I know Americans like to play golf, and I would say come and build golf courses at Victoria Falls.""I know Americans like to play golf, and I would say come and build golf courses at Victoria Falls."
Mr Trump is known to be a passionate golfer, who owns a number of course across the world.Mr Trump is known to be a passionate golfer, who owns a number of course across the world.
The Mugabes' futureThe Mugabes' future
One of Mr Mnangagwa's key promises is to clean up corruption within Zimbabwe's ruling class.One of Mr Mnangagwa's key promises is to clean up corruption within Zimbabwe's ruling class.
However, while he told the BBC he had "not given anyone any immunity", he was less clear about the future of the Mugabe family, who became known for their extravagant lifestyle during Mr Mugabe's 37-year rule.However, while he told the BBC he had "not given anyone any immunity", he was less clear about the future of the Mugabe family, who became known for their extravagant lifestyle during Mr Mugabe's 37-year rule.
In particular, many want to see his wife - nicknamed "Gucci Grace" - face some sort of investigation.In particular, many want to see his wife - nicknamed "Gucci Grace" - face some sort of investigation.
But Mr Mnangagwa said: "The new administration will do everything possible to make sure the family lives in peace, undisturbed."But Mr Mnangagwa said: "The new administration will do everything possible to make sure the family lives in peace, undisturbed."
He also revealed a number of people who had taken money out of the country under the previous administration had already brought the money back after he offered a three-month amnesty at the start of his term 60 days ago. The president said his predecessor had been given "a very lucrative package", which included many of the luxuries Mr Mugabe had become used to - including cars, secretaries, first-class travel and trips to Singapore, where he sees doctors.
However, Mr Mnangagwa would not be drawn on the cost of the package, which had a rumoured value of $10m (£7m).
But he did say a number of people who had taken money out of the country under the previous administration had already brought the money back after he offered a three-month amnesty at the start of his term 60 days ago.
Mr Mnangagwa said negotiations were also ongoing with people who had invested their money in property in "Dubai and the UK".
The Matabeleland massacres
The president also revealed he had signed a "national healing and reconciliation bill" into law, which would deal with the killings in the western region of Matabeleland that occurred in the 1980s while he was minister for national security.
An estimated 20,000 people died during the security crackdown - a figure he denied.
They were mostly ethnic Ndebeles, accused of backing Mr Mugabe's rival, Joshua Nkomo.
The law provides for a commission which, he said, would allow "the communities that were affected [to] air their grievances". He also said he would attend the hearings if that was what the communities wanted.
However, he would not directly apologise to the families for the killings.
"Wherever wrong is committed, the government of the day must apologise," he said.
He added: "The most important things is what has happened has happened. What can we do about the past? We have put up a commission to deal with that issue. That should not stop us having a better future.
"We are more worried about how to get a united Zimbabwe in the future."