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Crisis Hits New Zimbabwean Government

Mugabe has incoming minister charged with treason

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 14, 2009 3:50 PM CST

(Newser) – Just 3 days old, Zimbabwe’s unity government is already in crisis, the Times of London reports. Robert Mugabe’s agents arrested a top deputy to new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and charged him with treason, unleashing fierce protests and more Western skepticism about the government’s prospects. Hours earlier, an optimistic Tsvangirai had told a Times reporter, “You are too paranoid about Mugabe.”

But the president tried to swear in seven more Cabinet members than planned; haggling and fistfights ensued. After the arrest of Roy Bennett, Tsvangirai’s choice for deputy agriculture minister, his party called the charges “scandalous, vexatious and without basis.” Tsvangirai is seeking $100 million in monthly aid, but one Western diplomat feared the worst. “This is not power-sharing," he said. "It’s a power struggle.”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (4)]

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai reacts to supporters at a rally, after he was sworn in as Zimbabwe's Prime Minister by President Robert Mugabe in Harare, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo)

In this Monday June 23, 2008 file photo Roy Bennett, a senior member of the Zimbabwean opposition Movement for Democratic Change in neighboring Zimbabwe, speaks during an interview in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)

Zimbabwean opposition and ruling party ministers are sworn in as cabinet ministers by President Robert Mugabe, unseen, in Harare, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. (AP Photo)

Morgan Tsvangirai, left, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, left, shakes hands with President Robert Mugabe, right, in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe attends a meeting of heads of state in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Anita Powell)

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This is not power-sharing, it’s a power struggle. Someone is saying, "We're still boss. It’s our country. We don’t have to make concessions." - Western diplomat

It is the duty and responsibility of every Zimbabwean to contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country. This should inspire Zimbabweans to come home. - Morgan Tsvangirai,
Zimbabwean prime minister

Mugabe is more and more out of this. - Western diplomat

It’s very hard to see any cause for optimism. This is not a unity Government. We’re seeing Zanu (PF) red in tooth and claw. - Western diplomat

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Crisis Hits New Zimbabwean Government