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Tsvangirai becomes Zimbabwe's PM | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been sworn in as prime minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe. | Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been 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. |
Mr Mugabe administered the oath of office to Mr Tsvangirai in a ceremony in Harare. | |
Diagram of power-sharing agreement | Diagram of power-sharing agreement |
Two deputy prime ministers were also sworn in: Thokozani Khupe, the deputy leader of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a break-away faction of the MDC. | Two deputy prime ministers were also sworn in: Thokozani Khupe, the deputy leader of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a break-away faction of the MDC. |
Deep scepticism | Deep scepticism |
The new prime minister must deal with an economy in ruins and a cholera epidemic which has killed more than 3,400 people. | The new prime minister must deal with an economy in ruins and a cholera epidemic which has killed more than 3,400 people. |
Hyperinflation is causing prices to double every day and the country stopped publishing inflation figures after it was last estimated at 231m%. People are using foreign currency wherever possible. | Hyperinflation is causing prices to double every day and the country stopped publishing inflation figures after it was last estimated at 231m%. People are using foreign currency wherever possible. |
STATE OF ZIMBABWE Five million people - almost half population - need food aidHyperinflationUnemployment of 90%About 3,400 people killed in cholera outbreak Tsvangirai's tough choice | |
More than half the population rely on emergency food aid. | More than half the population rely on emergency food aid. |
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. |
There is deep scepticism about whether it will work, says the BBC's southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles, in Johannesburg. | 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. |
New coalition | New coalition |
On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai named Tendai Biti, the secretary general of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as his choice for finance minister. 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. | On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai named Tendai Biti, the secretary general of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as his choice for finance minister. 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. |
A minister from each party will now share the home affairs ministry. | A minister from each party will now share the home affairs ministry. |
Return to top | Return to top |
Are you in Zimbabwe or in the region? Are you following the swearing-in? What is your reaction? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Zimbabwe or in the region? Are you following the swearing-in? What is your reaction? Send us your comments using the form below: |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |