Ugandan-born Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City

Zohran Mamdani assumed the office of Mayor of New York City on New Year’s Day, following a private swearing-in ceremony at a historic subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani, who represents the Democratic Party, is noted for being the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor of the city. During the ceremony, he took his oath on a Quran held by his wife, Rama Duwaji.

The ceremony was officiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James and took place at the old City Hall station, recognized for its architectural significance. In his initial remarks, Mamdani highlighted the symbolic relevance of the location, attributing its historical value to the importance of public transit in New York City.

A public ceremony at City Hall is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m., where US Senator Bernie Sanders will officiate the formal swearing-in. This event will be followed by a public celebration on Broadway's "Canyon of Heroes."

At 34 years old, Mamdani is New York City's first mayor of South Asian descent and the first to originate from Africa, having moved from Uganda to the United States at the age of 7.

Mamdani's administration is poised to focus on affordability, with plans to implement transformative policies aimed at reducing the cost of living. Key initiatives include:

Free child care Free public bus services A rent freeze for approximately 1 million households A pilot program for city-run grocery stores

These policies are central to Mamdani's platform, reflecting his commitment to addressing economic challenges in New York City.

Based on reporting by Africanews.