[DEBATE] : (Fwd) New Zim government

[Vanessa Banton]

Hi Patrick,

Where is this list you posted of the new Zimbabwe ministers from? All
reports I have read indicate that the meeting to choose the cabinet was
postponed until today.

ZIM-6TH-LD-CABINET

HARARE September 16 Sapa-AFP

ZIMBABWE UNITY GOVERNMENT TALKS POSTPONED

Talks to form Zimbabwe's new government were postponed on Tuesday, amid
caution from analysts that past hostilities were likely to haunt the
country's fragile political unity and shattered economy.

The talks were postponed until Wednesday after President Robert Mugabe's
ZANU-PF held an urgent meeting of the party's leadership and called for
another gathering of the top brass.

"The central committee is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and we will probably
discuss the issue (of the new cabinet)," the ruling party spokesperson
Ephraim Masawi told AFP.

Zimbabwe's three main political rivals had been due on Tuesday to start
allocating the ministerial posts for a new all-inclusive government after
signing a power-sharing agreement.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Nelson Chamisa
said there was some doubt that the meeting would be held on Wednesday.

"We had budgeted for the meeting today but it did not take place," Chamisa
said. "Tomorrow is doubtful, but it will take place any time soon. There is
a lot of anxiety in the country."

Edwin Mushoriwa, spokesman for a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur
Mutambara, however was more optimistic. "I am positive they will meet and
finish. I don't think it's a debate that will take long, it's just a matter
of allocating ministries."

The historic power-sharing deal signed Monday committed the former political
rivals to free political activity, a national healing process  and the
restoration of economic stability.

Sources told AFP that the ZANU-PF's leadership on Tuesday appeared to be
divided over who would remain in the new government.

A multi-party cabinet is to be led by Mugabe as president and MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai in a newly created post as prime minister. Mutambara will
take one of the two deputy prime minister posts.

The number of ministerial posts have been divided among the parties with the
ZANU-PF allotted 15 portfolios, MDC-Tsvangirai 13 and three for
MDC-Mutambara.

Zimbabwe's media on Tuesday urged leaders to transform the talks into action
and ease tensions among former rivals.

"The event was feted as a success story but there remains evidence of
tension and uneasiness ... which has to wear off quickly for them to
achieve positive results quickly for Team Zimbabwe," the private weekly
Zimbabwe Independent said.

Analysts warned the deal could be made a worthless piece of paper if  the
parties allow personal grudges to persist.

"There are serious dangers that lie ahead unless the principals are willing
to move away from past hostilities and work in one direction to  implement
the agreement rather than pull in different directions," said  Eldred
Masunungure, a political scientist from the University of Zimbabwe.

Takavafira Zhou, a political scientist at Masvingo State University,  said
the parties had been sworn enemies and had divergent ideologies.

"It's very difficult to say for certain this new government will work,
particularly looking at the backgrounds of the two main parties,"  he added.

It is hoped a unity government will pave the way for Zimbabwe's shattered
economy to be nursed back to health but any upturn will take time, economic
analysts said.

Anthony Hawkins at the University of Harare said Zimbabwe's economy would
start growing in the first half of 2009 with the help of foreign assistance.

"But getting back to where we were in the 1990s, it would take us another 10
years and getting back to the 1980s, it would take us another 15 years."

Over the past decade, Zimbabwe's economy has collapsed with the world's
highest inflation rate, chronic shortages of foreign currency and food,
skyrocketing unemployment and widespread hunger.

In response to Monday's deal, the European Union left sanctions in place
saying it wants to see democratic improvements, while the United States said
it was waiting to see the details of the deal.

The International Monetary Fund said it was ready to hold talks with
Zimbabwe's new government.

The power-sharing deal was reached after protracted talks mediated by South
African President Thabo Mbeki with Zimbabwe's political crisis  having
intensified after the 84-year-old Mugabe's re-election as president in a
widely condemned one-man, second round poll in June.

Tsvangirai boycotted the vote despite finishing ahead of Mugabe in the March
first round, citing violence against his supporters.

Sapa-AFP

/rm/th 09/16/08 22-45 C5




On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 6:53 AM, Patrick Bond <pbond at mail.ngo.za> wrote:

> MINISTRIES
> Ministry Minister Party
> 1 Defence Hon. Sidney Sekeramayi ZPF
> 2 Home Affairs Hon.Tendai Biti MDC-T
> 3 Finance Hon. Tapiwa Mashakada MDC-T
> 4 Foreign Affairs Hon. Sen. Ryan Chiwase Mutsvene MDC-T ex officio
> 5 Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Hon. Fidelis Mhashu MDC-T
> 6 Health and Child Welfare David Parirenyatwa ZPF
> 7 Higher and Tertiary Education Hon Sam Sippea Nkomo MDC-T
> 8 Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Hon Ignatius Chombo ZPF
> 9 Mines and Mining Development Hon Emmerson Mnangagwa ZPF
> 10 Industry and Commerce Hon Chindori Chininga MP ZPF
> 11 Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement Sen Roy Bennette ex officio MDC-T
> 12 Energy and Power Development Hon Joseph Made MP ZPF
> 13 Public Service Hon. Nicholas Goche ex officio (Sen.) ZPF
> 14 Science and Technology Development Simbarashe Mumbengegwi MP ZPF
> 15 Water Resources and Management Hon. Munacho Mutezo MP ZPF
> 16 Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Eddie Cross MP MDC-T
> 17 Labour and Social Services Hon. Pauline Gwanyanya MP MDC-T
> 18 Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Hon. Adv. Eric Matinenga MP
> MDC-T
> 19 Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism Hon Francis Nhema MP ZPF
> 20 Justice and Legal Affairs Hon Prof. Elphas Mukonoweshuro MP MDC-T
> 21 Prisons and Correctional Services Hon Adv. Welshman Ncube MDC-T
> 22 Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development Hon Olivia Nyembesi
> Muchena MP ZPF
> 23 Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Hon Jameson Timba MP MDC-T
> 24 Information Communication Technology Sen. Priscilla Misihairambwi MDC-M
> ex officio
> 25 Media, Information and Publicity Hon. Nelson Chamisa MP MDC-T
> 26 State Enterprises and Parastatals Sen. Tichaona Mudzingwa MDC-T ex
> officio
> 27 National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Sam Chidhakwa MP ZPF
> 28 Public Works Abedinico Ncube MP MDC-M
> 29 Transport Hon. Reuben Marumahoko MP ZPF
> 30 Small, Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Sen. Patrick
> Chinamasa ZPF ex officio
> 31 Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Hon. Saviour
> Kasukuwere MP ZPF
>
> ***
>
> Deal a compromise, says opposition
> Tsvangirai now has authority to drive policy
>
> September 16, 2008 Edition 1
>
> Moshoeshoe Monare & Stanley Gama
>
> In what has been hailed as a momentous but "painful compromise" agreement,
> President Robert Mugabe's decision-making powers will be vetoed by his prime
> minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, who will chair the newly formed council of
> ministers.
>
> While Mugabe still wields enormous powers as chairman of the cabinet, the
> deal created a council of ministers, giving Tsvangirai authority to drive
> and implement policy.
>
> The same ministers who constitute Mugabe's cabinet will convene as a
> council and report to Tsvangirai on policy formulation and "assess the
> implementation of cabinet decisions".
>
> This is in contrast with the previous deal, rejected by Tsvangirai, in
> which Mugabe would be in charge of security ministers and the Movement for
> Democratic Change leader responsible for economic and social cluster
> ministers.
>
> Tsvangirai initially refused to sign the deal because he wanted executive
> powers and to co-chair the cabinet, resulting in a deadlock. But he signed
> yesterday at a ceremony at Harare International Conference Centre, in which
> President Thabo Mbeki was praised for his "heroic efforts".
>
> The ceremony was attended by 10 heads of state to give political weight to
> a deal that has been acclaimed as a first step towards national healing,
> political reconstruction and economic recovery.
>
> While the deal vests the executive authority in the cabinet, both Mugabe
> and Tsvangirai "shall exercise executive authority subject to the
> constitution and the law".
>
> Tsvangirai is still deputy chairman of the cabinet and a member of the
> National Security Council, which will replace the notorious Joint Operations
> Command.
>
> Zimbabwe's presidency will comprise Mugabe, Tsvangirai, two
> vice-presidents, Joice Mujuru and Joseph Msika, and deputy prime minister
> and MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara. There will be another deputy prime
> minister, believed to be Tsvangirai's MDC vice-president, Thokozani Khupe.
>
> Tsvangirai and Mutambara admitted that the deal was "a painful compromise".
>
> "What we have here today is a compromise document . . . which is the best
> short-term measure to extricate our country from its worst situation," said
> Mutambara.
>
> Tsvangirai tried hard to convince his supporters that his decision to sign
> a deal that appeared to have left Mugabe in charge was the right one.
>
> "I've signed this agreement because I believe it represents the best
> opportunity for us to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic Zimbabwe," he
> said.
>
> "Because my belief in Zimbabwe . . . runs deeper than the scars I bear from
> the struggle. Because my hope for the future is stronger than the grief I
> feel for the . . . suffering of last year.
>
> "The agreement . . . does not provide an instant cure for the ills that
> befall our country. The road ahead will be long, and it will not be easy,"
> Tsvangirai said, appealing to both his and Zanu-PF supporters to unite and
> translate their signatures into a peaceful Zimbabwe.
>
> However, hardly minutes after the signing, supporters of both parties were
> throwing stones and attacking one another. There were no serious casualties.
>
> Tsvangirai appealed for financial and moral support.
>
> "We appeal to our regional leaders and international community to assist us
> in rebuilding our nation," he said.
>
> As new leader of government business, he outlined his economic and
> financial priorities. "First, we will stop the devastating food shortage in
> the country . . . We need doctors, medicines . . . We need teachers back in
> our schools . . . we need electricity, water and to be able to withdraw
> cash," he said.
>
> Mugabe reminded an unimpressed audience that the MDC was controlled by
> "colonial powers". He was booed and heckled.
>
> However, he said he was committed to the deal. "We will do our best," he
> said.
>
> ***
>
> IMF hails Zim power share deal Tuesday, 16 Sep 2008
>
> with Kumbirai Mafunda
>
> Robert Mugabe
>
> THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday hailed the signing of a
> power sharing agreement between Zimbabwe�s political rivals aimed at ending
> the country�s nine year economic and political crisis.
>
> ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader
> Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a rebel faction of the
> MDC signed a power sharing deal in Harare on Monday that was brokered by
> South African President Thabo Mbeki and witnessed by several African Heads
> of State including the United Nations (UN) secretary general�s special envoy
> to Zimbabwe Haile Menkerios.
>
> Under the power share deal, which effectively ends Mugabe and ZANU PF�s
> 28-year hegemony on power, Mugabe remains as President while Tsvangirai
> assumes the newly created post of Prime Minister and Mutambara comes in as
> Deputy Prime Minister. As Prime Minister Tsvangirai, who won the first round
> of the presidential race in March but later pulled out of the June run-off
> presidential election citing political violence against his supporters would
> be head of government and will chair a council of ministers responsible for
> formulating policy in the troubled southern African country.
>
> In a statement released in Washington IMF Managing Director Dominique
> Strauss-Kahn said the power share deal lays the groundwork for engagement to
> help arrest the country�s economic crisis.
>
> "Today's power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe paves the way for a new government
> that can begin to address the economic crisis. We stand ready to discuss
> with the new authorities their policies to stabilize the economy, improve
> social conditions, and reduce poverty. I encourage the government to take
> steps to show clear commitment to a new policy direction and to seek the
> support of the international community," Strauss-Kahn said in a statement
> seen by this reporter.
>
> The IMF suspended financial aid to Zimbabwe in 1999 in protest against
> Harare�s preference to keep loose strings on the public purse and gross
> human rights violations.
>
> Because of defaults on debt repayments the IMF came close to suspending
> Zimbabwe from its ranks. However, Zimbabwe escaped the harsh punishment and
> only had its voting and related suspended.
>
> The southern African country has been in continuous arrears to the IMF
> since February 2001 because of the country�s failure to generate enough
> foreign currency to repay its debt obligations.
>
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