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Mugabe to name ministers 'soon' | Mugabe to name ministers 'soon' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is in the process of forming a new government and will finish soon, a minister has said. | Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is in the process of forming a new government and will finish soon, a minister has said. |
Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told state media the government would be "inclusive" but gave no details. | Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told state media the government would be "inclusive" but gave no details. |
But the main opposition party has refused to join the government until several issues are resolved. | |
Meanwhile, aid workers have warned about a cholera outbreak in Harare, where hospitals are struggling to cope. | |
Medecins Sans Frontieres says that on average 38 new patients are being admitted every day - most of them from densely populated suburbs Harare. Nurses are said to be overwhelmed. | Medecins Sans Frontieres says that on average 38 new patients are being admitted every day - most of them from densely populated suburbs Harare. Nurses are said to be overwhelmed. |
The main reason for the outbreak is the run-down infrastructure, burst sewage pipes and water cuts, the medical charity says. | The main reason for the outbreak is the run-down infrastructure, burst sewage pipes and water cuts, the medical charity says. |
Dilemma | Dilemma |
The leadership of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it would not join a national unity government despite pressure to do so from regional leaders at a summit on Sunday. | |
People in the rural areas are disappearing in the night 'Esther' Harare diary: New abductionsDeath throes of Harare's hospitals | People in the rural areas are disappearing in the night 'Esther' Harare diary: New abductionsDeath throes of Harare's hospitals |
Deputy leader Thokozani Khupe said the MDC wanted an end to violence, constitutional changes and an investigation into whether the original deal was tampered with. | |
"Neither Robert Mugabe nor Zanu-PF has the legitimacy to form a government," she said. | |
She also said there was an assassination plot to eliminate the MDC leadership but refused to elaborate, reports Reuters news agency. | |
However, she said the MDC remained committed to the deal. | |
Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC agreed in September to share power but not how to allocate cabinet posts. | |
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai accuses Mr Mugabe of trying to grab most powers for him and his officials and insists he will hold out for an equitable distribution of power. | MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai accuses Mr Mugabe of trying to grab most powers for him and his officials and insists he will hold out for an equitable distribution of power. |
Mr Tsvangirai argues that, under current plans, Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party would hold the defence and state security portfolios and so would dominate the security forces. | Mr Tsvangirai argues that, under current plans, Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party would hold the defence and state security portfolios and so would dominate the security forces. |
Under the terms of the deal Mr Tsvangirai is supposed to be named prime minister, Zanu-PF would have 15 cabinet posts, Mr Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and a breakaway MDC group three. | Under the terms of the deal Mr Tsvangirai is supposed to be named prime minister, Zanu-PF would have 15 cabinet posts, Mr Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and a breakaway MDC group three. |
MINISTRY DIVISION Zanu-PF: 15 ministries including: DefenceForeign affairs JusticeLocal governmentMedia Main MDC: 13 ministries including: Constitutional and parliamentary affairsEconomic planning and investment promotionLabourSportArts and cultureScience and technology development MDC (Mutambara): Three including: EducationIndustry and commerce Source: Government gazette Mugabe wins out in talks | |
Arthur Mutambara, who leads the smaller MDC group, has urged Mr Tsvangirai to accept the offer to share the ministry of home affairs, made on Sunday. | |
Mr Mugabe has reportedly agreed to let the MDC run the finance ministry, in order to kick-start the devastated economy. | Mr Mugabe has reportedly agreed to let the MDC run the finance ministry, in order to kick-start the devastated economy. |
Mr Mugabe was re-elected as Zimbabwe's president in June, after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the second round of voting citing violence. | Mr Mugabe was re-elected as Zimbabwe's president in June, after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the second round of voting citing violence. |
Zimbabwe is suffering from severe food shortages and rampant inflation, and the MDC leader has warned that a million Zimbabweans could starve to death in a year if the political deadlock continues. | Zimbabwe is suffering from severe food shortages and rampant inflation, and the MDC leader has warned that a million Zimbabweans could starve to death in a year if the political deadlock continues. |
BBC southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the public health system is barely functioning - many hospitals are without medical supplies and there is a serious shortage of doctors and nurses. | BBC southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the public health system is barely functioning - many hospitals are without medical supplies and there is a serious shortage of doctors and nurses. |
This week, the government was reported to have set up an inter-ministerial taskforce to tackle the cholera outbreak in Harare and three other provinces. | This week, the government was reported to have set up an inter-ministerial taskforce to tackle the cholera outbreak in Harare and three other provinces. |
No official figures are available for cholera-related deaths but Health Minister David Parirenyatwa has said the death toll is not as high as previously reported. | No official figures are available for cholera-related deaths but Health Minister David Parirenyatwa has said the death toll is not as high as previously reported. |
Last month, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said 120 had died this year from the outbreak of cholera. | Last month, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said 120 had died this year from the outbreak of cholera. |