Zimbabwe opposition to control police in deal

September 13, 2008|Angus Shaw, Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe - President Robert Mugabe and his main rival agreed to divide control of the police and army and strike a delicate balance in Zimbabwe's Cabinet - but their power-sharing deal will be under enormous pressure from long-simmering differences and economic collapse.

Some members of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's party were already complaining yesterday that the compromise didn't do enough to sideline Mugabe.

Western nations poised to send in sorely needed aid and investment also are wary of the man accused of holding onto power through violence and fraud and ruining the economy of what had been southern Africa's breadbasket.

The agreement, announced Thursday night, is scheduled to be signed and made public Monday. Among several questions still to be answered after two months of closed-door talks was when the coalition government would start working.

Also unclear is the attitude of Mugabe, who until hours before the accord was announced was declaring that he would never allow the opposition "to govern this country."

Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, has yet to comment publicly on the deal. Tsvangirai announced it, but gave no details.

Attempts to reach officials from Mugabe's party for comment were not immediately successful.

However, five officials from Tsvangirai's opposition Movement for Democratic Change spoke to the Associated Press yesterday, on condition of anonymity because of a media blackout, with two providing details of the power-sharing deal.

Tsvangirai would be in charge of the country's police, who have terrorized the opposition.

The opposition officials said that makes removing draconian security and media laws a priority. Mugabe retains control of the defense forces.