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Zimbabwe power sharing deal under strain

11/10/2008

A power sharing deal in Zimbabwe is under severe strain after incumbent president Robert Mugabe appointed members of his Zanu-PF party to key cabinet portfolios.

Last month, opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a historic deal with Mr Mugabe to enable a coalition to be formed in the southern African country. However, the allocation of the key ministries of defence and home affairs (which controls the police) to Mr Mugabe's party has created tension in the country which is facing an economic crisis.

Speaking after an official circular was issued from state media over the appointments, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said: "This is Zanu-PF's arrogant wish list that puts the whole deal into jeopardy. It is unilateral, contemptuous and outrageous.

"The MDC totally and absolutely rejects this nonsense. ZANU-PF is taking people for a ride and there is a price for that," he added.

Under the deal, Mr Tsvangirai became the country's prime minister and accepted Mr Mugabe as the country's president. Both parties agreed to share key portfolios in the country's cabinet with Zanu-PF holding a total of 15 positions, the MDC holding 13 posts while an MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara would have three ministers.

Speaking at the time, analysts said there was an understanding that key ministerial posts such as those controlling the police and the army would be shared between the two parties to prevent distrust between the partners.

The country's central bank recently printed a new 50,000 Zimbabwean dollar note as smaller value notes are no longer enough to purchase any daily use items.