Mugabe and Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe Power Sharing Deal...

[bigandy]

Beeb

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has signed a historic power-sharing deal with his long-time political rival, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The two smiled and shook hands at the ceremony in the capital, Harare, attended by African dignitaries.

Mr Tsvangirai said the agreement provided the best hope for Zimbabwe and called on President Mugabe to work together to implement the deal.

Mr Mugabe said he was committed to national unity and would do "his best".

Mr Mugabe, Mr Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara - leader of a breakaway faction of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - signed the agreement in front of some 3,000 invited guests in Harare's International Conference Centre.

I'm surprised at this, but hope it brings about some positive change. I've been horrified at what's gone on there before, and I certainly have my fingers crossed.

 

[Queso]

It's the only way forward as it was in South Africa in 1994. Get all parties involved in government so that everyone has something to lose if it goes wrong. Overwise they'll always be a sizeable part of the population trying to bring it down, shaky as it is to start with.

Best of luck to Zim.

 

[BoyBach]

This cartoon in today's Independent neatly highlights what the agreement means. Mugabe still controls the army, and with it, the country.



Last nights Channel 4 news had a report outside the hotel where the agreement was signed and it was, depressingly, business as usual, with the opposing sides fighting with each other and the police. Plus ça change...