The political talks have stalled as Mugabe insists his party hold all key Cabinet posts.
With opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai threatening to abandon the talks, former South African president Thabo Mbeki was flying to Harare late yesterday to try to save the power-sharing deal he brokered this summer after a disputed presidential election.
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said on state television that the negotiations would resume today. Mbeiki's spokesman, Mukoni Ratshitanga, said all Zimbabwe factions had urged his intervention.
Mbeki has been chief mediator in the dispute that erupted after March elections broke the control of Parliament long held by Mugabe's party and gave Tsvangirai the most votes in the presidential ballot. Mugabe then claimed victory in a June presidential runoff after Tsvangirai dropped out over violence aimed at his supporters.
On Sept. 15, Mbeki persuaded rivals to share power, with the opposition holding 16 Cabinet seats and Mugabe's party 15. But the two sides have been unable to agree on details of the new government, including which side would control which ministries.
An official list of Cabinet portfolios published Saturday gave Mugabe's party the ministries of defense, home and foreign affairs, justice, mining, and land, among others. The opposition was listed with minor ministries, such as constitutional affairs and water management.
"That is not power sharing, it is power grabbing," Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters at a rally Sunday. He said Zimbabweans were prepared to "suffer some more" to get a more equitable agreement. Thousands of people raised their hands in agreement.
The choice of Joyce Mujuru and Joseph Msika as vice presidents was not in dispute, since the pact gave those posts to Mugabe's party, but the opposition said the decision to go ahead with their inauguration showed Mugabe is not acting in good faith.
"This unilateralism will simply crush the country," opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
