Zimbabwean leaders sign power-sharing deal

Zimbabwean leaders sign power-sharing deal
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Source: CCTV.com | 09-16-2008 10:14
Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties have formally signed a power-sharing deal. This, in an ongoing bid to solve the country's political and economic crisis.

The deal is the result of three months of difficult negotiations mediated by South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

Under the terms of the agreement, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will remain in that role in the new government, while main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, will be prime minister. Arthur Mutambara, leader of a smaller opposition group will be deputy prime minister. The country's new cabinet will be comprised of 31 members, of which 16 will come from the opposition parties.

Tsvangirai expressed his hope for the country's future.

Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean Opposition Leader said "The hand with which I sign this agreement is the hand I extend to President Mugabe for the well being of our nation, in my pledge to work with all leaders of Zimbabwe to bring our nation back to life. Let us not be divided by our past but united by hope for the future."

The long-awaited agreement puts an ends to the political deadlock the country has been in since the March 29th presidential election. The deal has been widely hailed throughout the country, with thousands of Zimbabweans gathering to celebrate. With inflation currently at 11 million percent, they hope the agreement will be a first step in helping to rescue the once-prosperous nation from the brink of economic collapse.

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