Crowds of onlookers clapped as the three rivals inked a deal at a televised ceremony to set up a coalition government and create a Prime Minister’s post for Tsvangirai after negotiations mediated by South Africa President Thabo Mbeki. Mutambara is now the deputy Prime Minister.
The three political leaders had come under intense pressure to compromise over Mugabe’s disputed re-election in a June 27 run-off vote boycotted by Tsvangirai, whose run up saw the murder of at least 131 people, and forced 200,000 people to flee their homes amid State-sanctioned violence.
Besides the Prime Minister’s job Tsvangirai has sought since the talks began after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on July 21, the deal will also give cabinet posts based on each party’s strength from the total number of votes cast for each party during the March 29 harmonised elections.
Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) has the largest number of seats, with 15, while Tsvangirai has 13 posts and Mutambara three. Cabinet portfolios would be balanced along the same lines, Mbeki said.
Tsvangirai said the deal represented an end to a past of despair and marked a fututre of hope. He acknowledged that he had made painful concessions.
“This agreement sees the return of hope to all our lives,” Tsvangirai said after the signing ceremony. The MDC leader, 56, said the top priority of “my government” was to ensure urgent food accessibility. The Prime Minister said it was useless to go into a deal that does not help the ordinary people.
Constitution to change
The deal also includes a full review of the constitution, a 28-year-old document which many Zimbabweans have said must be changed because it gives the president nearly total authority over the affairs of state.
Last week’s final round of talks brought Mugabe and Tsvangirai to the same table for the first time in a month, after discussions between their parties hit a deadlock earlier in the week.
Monday’s signing ceremony was witnessed by almost the entire compliment of the SADC leadership, including Botswana President Ian Khama – who has consistently refused to recognise Mugabe’s stolen re-election.
Mugabe said he was glad the solution to the crisis had been found by Africans. The African Union chairman, Tanzania leader Jakaya Kikwete attended the event. So did the SADC troika chair, King Mswati III.
Predictably and unrepentantly, Mugabe railed against British imperialism and accused the US and the former colonial power of causing problems in Zimbabwe.
“African problems must be solved by Africans…the problem we have had is a problem that has been created by former colonial powers,” Mugabe said after the signing ceremony.
Beginning of the end
Observers said the deal marked the beginning of the end for Mugabe. It also represents an end to his monopolistic hold on power. For the first time, the veteran ruler has been forced to surrender power to a rival.
A beaming Mutambara said: “Today is just but the beginning. The hard work starts today. We want a a paradigm shift from aid to investment,” Mutambara said.
He said Zimbabwe must be a globally competitive economy once more under the new government.
The deal was a coup for Mutambara, who lost a parliamentary seat he contested in Zengeza. He did not attend the presidential poll and many believe he does not deserve to be deputy Prime Minister.
In the city centre, residents took to the streets celebrating and ululating over the deal.
As the talks got bogged down last week, the opposition demanded a new election – its only real leverage left – but Mugabe staunchly rejected the suggestion after Mbeki, who has mediated the crisis over the past eight years, asked him.
World will help
Analysts say the power-sharing deal is shaky and will require former enemies to put aside their differences and work closely to overcome scepticism, especially from Western powers whose financial support will be vital for recovery.
“The EU is ready notably to adopt a series of measures of economic support and help to a transition government that took measures to restore democracy and rule of law in Zimbabwe, notably by organising transparent and pluralistic elections,” EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement issued Monday.
Prior to the signing of the power-sharing deal Monday, negotiators from all the three teams met to divvy up the Cabinet posts. The line up of ministers is expected to be announced later this week. But sources said there was a National Security Council that will replace the Joint Operations Command, a think-tank of top security generals. Tsvangirai will now sit in those meetings. There is also the establishment of an National Economic Council to spearhead economic recovery.
The MDC wants to implement a 5-point economic recovery plan it has drafted which has the backing of Bretton Woods institutions.