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MPs pass Zimbabwe unity deal bill | MPs pass Zimbabwe unity deal bill |
(10 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's lower house of parliament has passed a constitutional amendment paving the way for the country's political rivals to share power. | Zimbabwe's lower house of parliament has passed a constitutional amendment paving the way for the country's political rivals to share power. |
The change will allow opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become prime minister, with Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe remaining as president. | The change will allow opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become prime minister, with Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe remaining as president. |
The amendment is now before the Senate and correspondents say it is then expected to be signed by Mr Mugabe. | The amendment is now before the Senate and correspondents say it is then expected to be signed by Mr Mugabe. |
The deal was agreed last September but has been mired by months of disputes. | The deal was agreed last September but has been mired by months of disputes. |
Under the agreement, negotiated by southern African leaders, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Mr Tsvangirai is to be sworn in as prime minister on 11 February. | Under the agreement, negotiated by southern African leaders, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Mr Tsvangirai is to be sworn in as prime minister on 11 February. |
The unity government is intended to ease Zimbabwe's economic meltdown but correspondents say this is largely dependent on the restoration of foreign aid and investment. | The unity government is intended to ease Zimbabwe's economic meltdown but correspondents say this is largely dependent on the restoration of foreign aid and investment. |
Donors say they will only restore aid when the government is working efficiently and equally. | Donors say they will only restore aid when the government is working efficiently and equally. |
'Miracle' | 'Miracle' |
Reuters news agency reports that the vote was greeted with jubilation and stomping of feet by MPs from both parties - in a rare show of unity. | Reuters news agency reports that the vote was greeted with jubilation and stomping of feet by MPs from both parties - in a rare show of unity. |
It is important to establish trust from the word go MDC's Tendai Biti Relief and trepidation in Harare | It is important to establish trust from the word go MDC's Tendai Biti Relief and trepidation in Harare |
As the amendment was tabled, the MDC's chief negotiator Tendai Biti told MPs it was a feat that the rivals had come so far. | As the amendment was tabled, the MDC's chief negotiator Tendai Biti told MPs it was a feat that the rivals had come so far. |
"Everything has happened on the negotiating table other than physical confrontation. It is a miracle that we are here," AFP news agency quotes him as saying. | "Everything has happened on the negotiating table other than physical confrontation. It is a miracle that we are here," AFP news agency quotes him as saying. |
Correspondents say Mr Biti arrived in parliament after a morning in court where his treason trial was set for 4 May. | Correspondents say Mr Biti arrived in parliament after a morning in court where his treason trial was set for 4 May. |
He is accused of announcing March's presidential poll result before the electoral body, which took more than a month to make its announcement, as well as publishing false statements and insulting the president. | He is accused of announcing March's presidential poll result before the electoral body, which took more than a month to make its announcement, as well as publishing false statements and insulting the president. |
"We go into this government knowing that for this to work there has to be commitment," he told MPs. | "We go into this government knowing that for this to work there has to be commitment," he told MPs. |
"It is important to establish trust from the word go." | "It is important to establish trust from the word go." |
Wrangling | Wrangling |
Last week, the MDC agreed to a new timetable proposed by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). | Last week, the MDC agreed to a new timetable proposed by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). |
The months of wrangling between Zanu-PF and MDC have centred on how the most powerful cabinet posts were to be shared out - especially that of the Home Affairs ministry which controls the police. | The months of wrangling between Zanu-PF and MDC have centred on how the most powerful cabinet posts were to be shared out - especially that of the Home Affairs ministry which controls the police. |
Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly 29 years | |
Negotiators are still trying to hammer out who gets what ahead of the unity government taking over on 13 February. | Negotiators are still trying to hammer out who gets what ahead of the unity government taking over on 13 February. |
Another stumbling block had been attacks on and abduction of opposition and human right activists after the September deal - and Mr Tsvangirai still insists political abductees must be released. | Another stumbling block had been attacks on and abduction of opposition and human right activists after the September deal - and Mr Tsvangirai still insists political abductees must be released. |
Zimbabwe is enduring rampant inflation and an escalating food crisis. | Zimbabwe is enduring rampant inflation and an escalating food crisis. |
An outbreak of cholera, fuelled by the collapse of infrastructure, has now infected nearly 66,000 people and killed more than 3,300. | An outbreak of cholera, fuelled by the collapse of infrastructure, has now infected nearly 66,000 people and killed more than 3,300. |
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of presidential elections last March, but pulled out of a run-off against Mr Mugabe in June, citing state-sponsored violence against his supporters. | Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of presidential elections last March, but pulled out of a run-off against Mr Mugabe in June, citing state-sponsored violence against his supporters. |