Maputo — MOZAMBICAN President Armando Emilio Guebuza was yesterday sworn-in for his second and final five-year term at a colourful ceremony attended by seven Sadc Heads of State and Government, including President Mugabe.

Also present were four former regional leaders and scores of dignitaries from across the continent who joined thousands of jubilant Mozambicans in witnessing the event held at Independence Square in central Maputo.

Other regional leaders who attended the ceremony were Sadc chair and DRC President Joseph Kabila, South African President Jacob Zuma, Zambian President Rupiah Banda, President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

Swaziland was represented by its Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini, while Kenya and Botswana were represented by their vice presidents.

The former regional leaders in attendance were Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Cde Joachim Chissano (Mozambique), Mr Festus Mogae (Botswana) and Cde Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), while former Mozambican and South African First Lady Mrs Graca Machel made a surprise appearance.

President Guebuza, the country's third president since independence in 1975, took his oath of office at midday before the president of the Constitutional Council, Mr Antonio Luis Mondlane, and council judge Mrs Lucia Ribeiro.

Mr Mondlane handed over ceremonial paraphernalia, which included the national flag, the national emblem, a copy of the country's constitution and a gavel to Cde Guebuza who officially began serving his second tenure as head of state.

The ceremony started with Cde Guebuza inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Mozambican presidential guard, the air force and the navy after which he was sworn-in.

President Mugabe, Dr Kaunda and President Zuma drew the loudest cheers from the crowd when the master of ceremonies introduced the VIPs after the swearing-in.

Proceedings were interposed by entertainment from poets and various local dancing and choral groups.

Cde Guebuza's inauguration followed the validation of the results of the October 29 2009 presidential and legislative elections by the country's Constitutional Court.

Opposition leader Mr Afonso Dhlakama of Renamo, who predictably boycotted yesterday's ceremony in apparent protest, got 16 percent of the votes cast, while Mr Daviz Simango of the newly-formed Mozambique Democratic Movement got 9 percent.

Addressing the crowd after his installation, Cde Guebuza urged Mozambicans to remain united in efforts to develop the country, which went through a civil war for almost three decades.

He said his government would focus on decentralising the country's administrative structures, promoting good governance, fighting poverty and implementing social investment programmes for the good of the citizenry.

In apparent reference to Renamo's boycott, Cde Guebuza said the country would not be able to overcome obstacles if it remained divided.

"National unity is the blood that transports the necessary immunities so that as a nation, we are not weakened by obstacles.

"The only alternative to peace is peace itself.

National peace and unity are the foundations for the consolidation of multi-party democracy in Mozambique."

Earlier before the inauguration ceremony, President Mugabe met Swaziland Prime Minister Dlamini, who delivered a special message from King Mswati III.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces also met a group of Chinese businesspeople who are behind major property development in Maputo, but details of the meeting were not available.

Meanwhile, the Sadc Troika chaired by the DRC met in Maputo yesterday to debate a proposal by Malawi to host the next African Union summit scheduled for the end of July.

The Troika also comprises the outgoing chair, South Africa, and the incoming chair Namibia.

The second Troika on Politics, Defence and Security was also meeting in the Mozambican capital last night to review regional security. This body consists of Mozambique (chair), Swaziland (outgoing chair) and Zambia (incoming chair).

Foreign Minister Dr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi represented Zimbabwe at the meetings.

President Mugabe returned home yesterday evening.