This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7882762.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tsvangirai to be sworn in as PM Tsvangirai to be sworn in as PM
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to be sworn in as prime minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to be sworn in as prime minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of last year's presidential election - but he withdrew from the run-off citing violence against his supporters.Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of last year's presidential election - but he withdrew from the run-off citing violence against his supporters.
However he later agreed to share power with Mr Mugabe.However he later agreed to share power with Mr Mugabe.
Problems facing the new government include a cholera epidemic, a collapsed economy and a 90% unemployment rate.Problems facing the new government include a cholera epidemic, a collapsed economy and a 90% unemployment rate.
More than 3,400 people have died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic, and the country's annual inflation was last estimated at 231m%.More than 3,400 people have died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic, and the country's annual inflation was last estimated at 231m%.
More than half the population rely on emergency food aid.More than half the population rely on emergency food aid.
The tasks facing the ministers are daunting and there is deep scepticism about whether it will work, says the BBC's southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles, in Johannesburg.
At best it will be a transitional arrangement leading eventually to a new constitution and fresh elections, he says.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The BBC is banned from Zimbabwe, but our correspondent Andrew Harding is in Harare, where he senses a mood of cautious optimism over the unlikely "marriage" between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.
He attended church with Mr Tsvangirai before his swearing-in. There was hope among the huge congregation that the union of the two bitter enemies would last, he says.
New coalitionNew coalition
On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai named Tendai Biti, the secretary general of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as his choice for finance minister. STATE OF ZIMBABWE Five million people - almost half population - need food aidInflation about 234m% - the highest in the worldUnemployment of 90%About 3,400 people killed in cholera outbreak Tsvangirai's tough choiceOn Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai named Tendai Biti, the secretary general of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as his choice for finance minister. STATE OF ZIMBABWE Five million people - almost half population - need food aidInflation about 234m% - the highest in the worldUnemployment of 90%About 3,400 people killed in cholera outbreak Tsvangirai's tough choice
A Zimbabwean judge last week dropped treason charges against Mr Biti over an alleged coup plot, citing lack of progress in the case against him.A Zimbabwean judge last week dropped treason charges against Mr Biti over an alleged coup plot, citing lack of progress in the case against him.
Mr Biti's new position will be a key one, given the country's economic collapse.Mr Biti's new position will be a key one, given the country's economic collapse.
In January, Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe after an absence of more than two months for fresh talks with Mr Mugabe on sharing power.In January, Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe after an absence of more than two months for fresh talks with Mr Mugabe on sharing power.
Earlier negotiations had faltered after the MDC accused Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF of keeping the most powerful ministries - including the one that controls the police - to itself.Earlier negotiations had faltered after the MDC accused Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF of keeping the most powerful ministries - including the one that controls the police - to itself.
The cabinet in the new coalition government will be sworn in on Friday.The cabinet in the new coalition government will be sworn in on Friday.
The tasks facing the ministers are daunting and there is deep scepticism about whether it will work, says the BBC's southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles. The tasks facing the ministers are daunting and there is deep scepticism about whether it will work, says the BBC's southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles, in Johannesburg.
At best it will be a transitional arrangement leading eventually to a new constitution and fresh elections, he says.At best it will be a transitional arrangement leading eventually to a new constitution and fresh elections, he says.
The BBC is banned from Zimbabwe, but our correspondent Andrew Harding is in Harare, where he senses a mood of cautious optimism over the unlikely "marriage" between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.
He attended church with Mr Tsvangirai before his swearing-in. There was hope among the huge congregation that the union of the two bitter enemies would last, he says.