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Zimbabwe Rivals Strike Deal

But details won't be out until next week

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2008 10:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Zimbabwe's rival factions have reached a power-sharing agreement to end Robert Mugabe's 28-year monopoly on power, the Independent reports. Details, however, won't be spelled out until Monday, leading some Western analysts to reserve celebration. In broad strokes, however, Mugabe will share power with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who will be prime minister. Tsvangirai confirmed the deal, but Mugabe hasn't addressed it.

"It's made in Zimbabwe, it's made by Zimbabweans," said South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the deal. "The rest of the world needs to respect that the people of Zimbabwe have taken a decision about their own country." Unclear is the future role of the military and the potential for further violence. The nation's economy, meanwhile, remains in freefall.

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Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrives for talks in Harare, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. (AP Photo)

Robert Mugabe shakes hands with Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe. The pair have struck a power sharing deal after months of stalemate. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

South African President Thabo Mbek helped broker the Zimbabwe power sharing deal. (AP Photo)

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai attends talks in Harare, Zimbabwe, Thursday Sept. 11, 2008. (AP Photo)

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The infrastructure for state-sponsored violence is still in place. I still have my doubts as to how this deal will impact the structures on the ground." - Martin Rupiyah, director of Africa research at Cranfield university.

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Zimbabwe Rivals Strike Deal