HARARE, Zimbabwe (IPS/GIN) - Zimbabwe’s political leaders signed a long-overdue power-sharing deal late Sept. 11.
The deal followed four consecutive days of talks between the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front at a Harare hotel.
With economic and social conditions in the country continuing to deteriorate, Zimbabweans welcomed the news.
“This is what we have been praying for ... but to be honest, this is too good to be true,” said Chenesai Musundure, a Harare primary school teacher.
President Robert Mugabe had told a Sept. 11 meeting of the country’s traditional chiefs in the city of Bulawayo that he would never give the opposition party the governing powers that they have been pushing for.
But at around 9 p.m., political leaders emerged to announce that a deal had been signed.
“We have a deal,” said opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as he emerged from the hotel.
A good number of Zimbabweans have chosen to give the date of the signing a new meaning.
“Sept. 11 is known around the world for nasty things, but we have given the date a new meaning. For us it’s a day of freedom,” said Chris Chademana, a Harare meat trader.
Some question whether this deal will be able to change the political environment that has characterized the country for the past eight years.
Gladys Hlatswayo, an advocacy officer for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, said the deal is a positive development.
“It is a positive thing that a deal has been signed, but let’s wait and see what it has for the people of Zimbabwe,” Ms. Hlatswayo said. Jestina Mukoko, director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project said the mere signing of the deal brings back hope in the country.
According to officials of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party led by Morgan Tsvangirai who are part of the negotiating team, President Mugabe will retain his powers as the country’s president. He will appoint and chair the cabinet, while Mr. Tsvangirai becomes the prime minister and chair of a council of ministers. The council of ministers will assist and advise the president on government policies and will have powers to reject decisions of the cabinet.
President Mugabe will also retain his two existing vice presidential posts while Mr. Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara will each appoint one deputy prime minister. Mr. Mutambara is the leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change.
The deal provides for 31 cabinet posts, of which Mr. Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) will have 15, the Movement for Democratic Change section led by Tsvangirai will have 13 and the Mutambara-led section will have three.
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