Nearly a year after he won the first round of a presidential election, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai has been sworn in as the country’s Prime Minister by his long-standing enemy, President Robert Mugabe. But is it a victory, or a sell out?
Up until the last minute, Mr Tsvangirai’s participation in the new national unity government was uncertain. He had said he wouldn’t join until human rights activists and his supporters in the Movement for Democratic Change were released from prison. But as Mr Tsvangirai took the oath of office many of his supporters were still languishing in jail.
His work is cut out. More than nine out of ten Zimbabwean is unemployed; around 80% is reliant on food aid and cholera has claimed the lives of almost 3,500 people.
In a rally following his inauguration, Mr Tsvangirai promised to rebuild the country, declaring that “no Zimbabwean will ever go hungry again”. But with many of the key ministries still in the hands of Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF allies and donor countries refusing to work with the president, what chance of success does he have? Many of Mr Tsvangirai’s supporters fear he will be in office, but not in power; blamed for Zimbabwe’s many ills while President Mugabe and his cronies continue to plunder the state’s diminishing resources.
Should donor countries give the unity government a chance by lifting sanctions on Zanu-PF leaders and resuming financial aid to Zimbabwe? Or has Mr Tsvangirai made a bad situation worse by prolonging the rule of a discredited despot? And how will the families of those MDC supporters who were beaten or killed feel now, seeing their leader shaking hands with Mugabe ?
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BBC World Have Your Say 
The ordinary Zimbabweans are the losers yet Morgan Tsvangvirai and Mr. Robert Mugabe gains.
Financial aid to Zimbabwe? Honestly, it is just examples such as this that make so many in the West unsympathetic. What is it about Zimbabwe that makes it deserving of any foreign aid, OTHER THAN a hopelessly inept Government and policies? Was Zimbabwe striken by a debiliating drought? Perhaps floods? Does it lack in farmland or other natural resources?
This is a case of someone beating his head against the wall, then complaining because it hurts.
Leave them alone to solve their own problems.
I think it is a victory for Robert Mugabe on the grounds that he has in government Morgan Tsvangvirai and a sell-out for the people of Zimbabwe; Who wish for Robert Mugabe to leave office!
~Dennis Junior~
I do not believe that Morgan tsvangarai sold out at all. This is clearly a battle that he has to loose for the good of the country. What is grandstanding going to do?
There come a time when the nation is more important than the individual…..
The true winners here are the people of Zimbabwe and Mr. T for exhibiting statesmanship at the altar of self appeasement.
I believe Mr. T has an opportunity to lead a Zimbabwe the people collectively desire for while in this unity government. Over and above Mr. T’s personal ambition(rightfully so) there are a host of issues waiting to be attended to and some past policy done away with.
Obviously while the people have suffered bitterly, is Mugabe ready to build a nation of prosperity? Is Mugabe ready to walk the walk and reform institutions for the good of Zimbabwe? DON’T focus on the tree ( Mr. T/ Mugabe) but on the forest (the people of Zimbabwe)
There is nothing like victory in this for the suffering masses of Zimbabwe. This has proved my long standing argument that all Tsvangirai is after is power to amass wealth for himself . He took the oath from Mugabe, the man who had condenm the people of Zimbabwe to hunger, diseases, poverty to the highest degree and above all, death.
Now Tsvangirai will wine and dine with this monster because he has a bid of the power.
This is very good news. Morgan Tsvangvirai and the MDC indeed have their foot in the door. Mr. Robert Mugabe is an old man, and will not last forever and it is highly unlikely that the Zanu-PF have anyone else up their sleeve as odious as he, and with the MDC even nominally in government I would say the future looks bright for Zimbabwe. Relatively speaking of course, one hopes that light at the end of the tunnel the express train coming their way!
Dear BBC, the two principal actors in the Zimbabwe power sharing deal are both Africans. They are like any other African leader who would stick to power or struggle for power even at the expense of his/her life! Apart from that, these individuals(Robert Mugabe and Morgan T) are greedy leaders, from whom no one should expect any wonder. Sorry, the people of Zimbabwe are in for another fresh trouble as struggle for supremacy is the next stage of the warfare.
This is the continuation of a worrying trend I seem to recall that something similar happened in one of Rhodesia’s neighbours, I think it was Zambia the incumbent lost a presidential election refused to leave office and the victor in the election became prime minister instead in a government of national unity.
I am no huge fan of democracy it has delivered some extremist and incompetent governments here, look at our present lot, but at least the results of elections are respected. Failing to respect the will of the people does leave them with no alternative but violence and that is hardly ever a good idea no matter how nasty a government be its violent overthrow will almost always cause more carnage.
A Victory for 90 % – The End of the Dictator
I have been worried about the people of Zimbabwe. They are hungry. Starved and undernourished and beaten and subdued and proud and human.
I saw on tv the way the two men stood across from each other yesterday and took their vows.
This is the Beginning of the End of Mugabe. And the world needs to keep putting the pressure on him. Mr. Tsvangirai will be doing it and everybody else needs to follow and back Mr. Tsvangirai up.
This is a really important time for Zimbabwe and all of the rest of us in the world need to keep our eyes and ears peeled – and I would rather give help to Zimbawe today than two days ago, but the people need our help – 90 % are unemployed according to the BBC. You think you have problems? 90%!
The current “power sharing” government is neither a victory nor a sellout. President Robert Mugabe has proved that he will do anything to stay in power, regardless of the cost to his country. Morgan Tsvangarai has proved that he will do anything to help his country, regardless of the cost to himself (witness the many beatings and jailings he has endured at the hands of Zanu PF thugs and Mugabe’s corrupt government.)
Zimbabwe will continue to be a failed state until it sees the back of Mugabe. In the meantime, Morgan Tsvangarai perseveres in working to benefit his troubled land.
James from Kenya
Morgan didn’t quite sell out, he did it out of stability convenience or lack of alternative. You see Mugabe is a typical African strongman, there is no democracy in Zimbabwe that could have unseated him. It was the same case here in Kenya, Kibaki was never going to give up power even if Raila had won. Its understandable that some Morgan’s comrade in the fight might feel betrayed, but hey when there is a dictator in power forget Democracy. Pssst like our AU President Gadaffi
well done Mugabe, sworning in your opposition leader is sound good to the African listeners.Welcome Morgan Tsvangari but fotget your enmy and don’t forget his name,an old man his mind is always emty like new born baby Tsvangari Oyee!!!!!!!!!
Well obviously a deals been done …and no prizes for guessing Mugabe and his cronies ‘interests’ are now to be protected by Tsvangari .
This was sheer niavety and idealism in the first place . Tsvangari has now done an ‘Obama ‘ and put himself in the firing line , with no ideological weapons to confront and resolve the huge problem Zimbabweans face . With inflation at an astonishing level, in a world economic environmment that has just crashed he doesnt stand a chance .
Sorry… but on the the scale of ‘economic interest’ as far as ‘ financial markets’ are concerned does Zimbabwe even register???
Zimbabwe will just go from one crisis government to another until we in the West get our act together and put an end to this ridiculous outmoded way of producing our lives …
…just my humble opinion of course.
Dear moderators,
As an African gentleman i wish to be included in your forum such that i can access your comment and comment too if you kindly accepted me.
Many thank indeed.
The whole continent of arfica seems to be a complecated morass of confusion. I think that the old addage of follow the money is fitting here. I have not heard any one talk about the money trail for either of these men. Where are the funds coming from to run their machines. Robert Mugabe has the treasury of the country to run his opperation, where does Tsvangarai get his funds? I think that will tell the tale. Killing and intimadation from Mugabe’s followers has got to take the moral high ground away from his position. So, in my view neither one of these men have much to offer that is going to restore normalcy to their nation. They have abandoned the basics of good governance. Security of their borders, safe food and water, basic sanitation, and safe streets have long been gone. The least of their citizens can only hope to live to tell their grandchildren about life before the war.
What is wrong with this picture?
Watch the body language of Mr Mugabe.
The weakness of some African States, the carelessness of Mr Mugabe and his followers about Zimbabwe. Was it a year ago? when we discussed this whole business, and what did we say. Were we right. Yes-Yes-Yes-Yes we were, Then came Gazza, and Gas, and the Rocket Defence Shield. Zimbabwe was out of the minds eye. There was a lot of hand rubbing, more resources have been mis-used, the Zimbabwean People have been milked of everything, and on top of that Cholera, Sorry there was non !!!!!.Was there??.
In every country i know that is Zimbabwe like-The prime minister has nothing to say, except that what the President allows.
And UNO, worried to much about Gazza, Zimbabwe is still there.
Sad, mad, old World
Greetingfs
John in Germany
It is good news that both enemies are working together. There is only one way to help the people of Zibambwe and that is the world comunity to help these two to rebuild Zibambwe. The alternative is to lkeave them alone to fight. Remember “when two bulls are fighting, it is the grass that is damaged”
Zimbabwe is a shining example of political correctness run amok. Hope everyone is happy now.
I have no confidence in this power sharing arrangement.
Mugabe has no democratic mandate to be president so that makes him a dictator. Morgan T has almost as much power under this deal as he had without it, so I dont see why all the energy should be wasted.
I will await the next political crisis to be reported for my entertainment however in the mean time I will make do with watching more people die of Cholera and starvation.
It is all a waste of energy, time and lives.
Politics are pointless at this point, the country seems so economically disfunctional that it could take decades and a revolution to solve these problems.
Reading the comments from the contributors makes some some reading. Morgan T did not sell out. He would have been a sellout had he kept himself out of the unity government. Do i smell the hand of the west here. Mugabe has been a darling of the west until he trempled on the white man’s foot. Its so strange now that people want to refer to Mugabe as despotic.If only Mugabe had not touched the white mans farms. he would still be in power without anyone realisng he has gone past his prime.Look at Mubarak (30 years) . Gaddafi?There would be no sanctions, there would be no “human right violations”. Remember during the “dissident war” as it was coined in Zimbawe or the Matebele Massacre as its now being called , Mugabe was receiving honorary degrees from Western Unis. Did you know that ,the now so called “despot”was even honoured by her majesty. Question is for what?Because they saw it fit. He was only killing fellow blacks.Now he has reclaimed the ancenstral land he is being dubbed despotic. Morgan T is a process. Mugabe wont last long. The oldman wants to retire. The sellout here is not MORGAN its the west with their double standards. Look at Israel, Rwanda, Iraq. the DRC. remember Mobutu . Mugabe’S fault. to temper with American interests in the DRC and Angloa and the British in Zimbabwe. Sorry Bob? To Tsvangirai You are a Man. You will be the next President. Those who say he is a sellout where were they when the country was going to “the so called dogs.” No one had the cheek to challenge Zanu PF. To Bob be a man and honor this agreement. Its your only chance to leave honorably.
I hate to sound cynical, but I just can’t see this marriage getting along well.
To start with, these two guyz have been long standing enemies and have traded a lot of unpleasant words. I am suspecting that Mugabe is only digging a hole a Morgan, sooner or later Mugabe will begin to blame Morgan for certain issues which may not go down well with the supporters.
Now let me remind of what happened in my country Sierra leone when the then government decided to share power with the late RUF leader. It was said that Foday sankoh would enjoy the status of a vice president.
Just under six months of that marriage, Foday Sankoh and the Government started trading unpleasant accusations. The Government then secretly organised a demonstration against Mr. Sankoh in which I almost lost my life.
Morgan Tsvangvirai should watch his back. If Mugabe really wants to help his people, he should leave office. Those brokered this power sharing should have known better. Have they forgotten so soon what happened in Sierra leone. Morgan Tsvangvirai’s life is what I am more worried about.
Hi WHYS,
I really do not think that Morgan sold out. He really had no choice and I think and want to believe this is a transitional arrangement and with time Mugabe and his henchmen will be on the way out. They say half a loaf is better than none and am sure the MDC might be able to do something however little, as opposed to just sitting on the sidelines as Mugabe feeds the country to the dogs completely.
I also want to laud Abdoulaye Wade for his offer to grant Mugabe a safe asylum should circumstances force him to leave, and I believe this would be good for the Zimbabwean public.
Good news for the Zimbabweans. Mobagi even surpose to resign now and give way to new regime in Zimbabwe, because too much of one thing is good for nothing.
Excellent topic today!
I am still unsure at this point if appointing Tsvangari as Prime Minister was a good or bad thing. Only time will truly tell if this union of these 2 leaders will help or hurt their nation, and its people. I have always felt they should set aside their differences, communicate with one another, and put their people FIRST. After all, they are the ones who are suffering the most. And in time, if Mugabe is revealed as using Tsvanagari as nothing more than a puppet on a string, he will have to be held accountable.
If Morgan Tsvanagari’s addition to the government can save one life, it’s worth it. In the world the Zibabweans occupy, any victory, any ray of hope, no matter how small is probably very welcome.
Perhaps instead of calling it “selling out”, we should think of Mr. Tsvangari as a mole in Mugabe’s evil empire.
I have little confidence that this power sharing agreement will work given Mugabe’s past conduct. Only time will tell but I think Tsvanagari should be watching his back.
Sellout! Look at Mandela, surely he could have “compromised” during his 20+ years in prison, but he did not! Tsvangirai could have done the same. No compromise until his demands were met in full!
Mugabe forming a government with Morgan is setting a bad precedence all over Africa. A precedence that has already been set in Kenya. Africa leaders who loose an election will hold on to power hoping they can negotiate their way into staying in power. As we can see in Kenya Kibaki was loosing an election but is now shairing power with Raila, but Raila has almost no power, since most of the important decision are made by Kibaki. I believe Zimbabwe might experience the same with Mugabe making key decision. Mugabe should go.
In the short term . accepting the office of finance , then Mugabe has now a chance to put further financial failures on Tsvangari .The guy has just been’ set up’ ….. he’s now a ‘patsy ‘ ‘ fall guy ‘ for Mugabe . He can now sell this to the people .
This whole thing is a total joke …..its another example of the bankruptcy of ‘ idealism ‘ and ‘ democratic gradualism’ to affect change : as is Mugabe an example of the treachery of Stalinism .
Rather than change anything in any significant way , Tsvangari will be totally compromised by both the internal interests of Zanu pf and the external wider international community that is presently faced with its own collapse and deepening infighting .
Now is te time to see the real motives of those countries and leaders who were advocating for all sorts of actions like assasinating MUGABE or conducting a military campaign to oust him prior to this Agreement.All well meaning countries and leaders must support the Zimbabwean people because they will bear the brunt of any hardship.
When Europeans started WWII and ended in destruction and destitution on that continent, the rest of the ‘capable’ world did not sit idle and berrate Europeans for bringing destructions unto themselves, but rather went to greater lenghts to help them.
that is real and sincere friendship.
Let the world show it to Zimbabweans too
Given the situation at hand, Morgan taking the oath was a step in the right direction. People are suffering and all we need as the people of Zimbabwe is HOPE. What we need is not a temporary solution which most of us are discussing/debating right now but for the creation of a permanent Democratic country were VOTES count.
Where is the international community in all this? How is it possible for the United States to mobilise a force of thousands to remove Saddam Hussain and the Taliban from their seat of government but cannot intervene in a country where Mugabe ignores blatantly result of an election and continues to hold on to power. They talk of defending democracy but this is obviously hollow rhetoric. But we know this already.
Tsvangarai has no option. He cannot engage in armed struggle. I do not condone violence and do not believe the invasions of Afghanistan or Iraq were justified but when a dictator destroys his country and his people it should be all our responsibilities to make sure this does not continue. The fact that our governments have failed to intervene to make sure Mugabe honours the results of last years election is shameful.
The whole problem should be blame on Thabo Mbeki. Like a typical African dictator he was only interested in saving Robert Mugabe. Tvangarai shouldnt be blamed, Everything was going wrong in Zimbabwe yet Mugabe does not care what happens to an average Zimbabwean in as much as he remains in power. He behaves like an essentric person and people like Mbeki refused to say the truth by finding a soft landing for Mugabe so that Zimbabwe could move forward.
MUGABE MUST GO!
No country in their right mind must waste a single cent of their tax payer’s money on this despot. I am a black Zimbabwean Shona woman who has in the past year lost a sister and father mainly due to the deterioration of the health sector.
That devil will “buy” out the MDC and they will sup from the same table whilst we all starve. Enough.
Given that any hint of criticism of Mugabe by a Western politician brings a torrent of accusations of racism and “not understanding the continent’s problems” it’s hardly surprising we have been unable to do anything about it.
The blame for the Zimbabwe situation rests firmly on the shoulders of the leaders of other African countries, especially those in South Africa who have always had the ability to remove Mugabe at any time.
Yet African leaders have consistently backed Mugabe and have effectively forced the MDC into the flawed “power sharing arrangement” which looks nothing like one. It clearly has little chance of success and they all know it.
In fact, African leaders are so committed to supporting Mugabe that even at this late stage they are calling for the West to lift the sanctions targeted directly at Mugabe and his cronies.
The only glimmer of light may be Barrack Obama : At long last we have a western leader who cannot be accused of racism, whatever he says. Perhaps when he has time to look towards the continent he will tell African leaders a few home truths and insist that they follow democratic principles, run efficient government and eliminate corruption – or the aid gravy train will stop.
Getting Mugabe to the Hague would be a good start.
@ Ishekmborera ,
”That devil will “buy” out the MDC and they will sup from the same table whilst we all starve. Enough ”
God that leaps off the page …all power to you , and all of you who are suffering .
Yes indeed …ENOUGH!!!!
and we in the West should see our part in your misery and rise above mere sympathy and platitudes . Let us all grasp a common cause and a common solution that is starring us in the face …..but we fear to take it .
Dear BBc,
The sharing power is a victory to all Zimbaweans because without it, I don’t think Morgan have another means of helping his peoople and the western countries are not going to remove Robert from power and Robert do not want to step down.
His people are dying everyday with the cholera disease and his supporters are being tortured and the violation of human right in increasing.
And please tell the Western donors to lift the santions on Zimbawe just for the sake of Morgan and his fellow Zimbaweans so that they can recover from distress.
Dear BBC,
The sharing power is a victory to all Zimbaweans because Robert do not want to step down and Morgan have no means of helping his people and the Western countries will intervene.
His supporters are been tortured and many sent to jail.His fellow citizens are dying of the cholera disease everyday and the violation of human right are increasing daily.
And BBC please tell the Western donors to lift the santion on Zimbawe just for the sake of Morgan and his fellow citizens so that they can recover from this distress rapidly.
Basically, I think this should a step made for a change in this country. It’s better than letting Mugabe in control while the country mourns. So, the coalition, the swearing inand whats more, Morgan is in charge of the Finace Ministry! all these, for sure is a good sign for the tormented Zimbabweans.
Basically, I think this should a step made for a change in this country. It’s better than letting Mugabe in control while the country mourns. So, the coalition, the swearing in and whats more, Morgan is in charge of the FinaNce Ministry! all these, for sure is a good sign for the tormented Zimbabweans.
It is a stunning sell out. It is a manifestation that Mugabe intends to stick to power like a chewing gum on ones shoe. Mugabe has to step down immediately hook, line and sinker.
Dear bbc,
I do personally think that Morgan is only making matters worse in Zimbabwe.
He is only trying to give legitimacy to a rather illegitimate gvernment.
My sympathies Zimbabweans!
I think Morgan’s move is a Victory for Mediocrity! although this has now become Africa’s new approach to Democracy! I have a strong feeling that this system of compromise because seating presidents cannot imagine themselves out of power shows how long a way we still have towards achieving genuine democracy!
I can tolerate it now for the sake of peace and tranquility, but i believe Africa can do better!
WE DESERVE BETTER!
Hey, I left a post here earlier this week but cannot seem to see it on the board. A little disappointing. I was my first official comment on Zimbabwe here. I thought this would have a been a useful intervention, for what it is worth. However, no post. What gives?
Tweedledee has Tweedledum by the short and curlies as I think you say in London.
Mugabe is 85 years old.
Everything passes with time, though it seems to move so slowly here in Africa.
Mugabe will soon be a statue dotted here and there through the capitals of the continent, leaving people to wonder about who this might be, and what did he do for Africa
Soon Mugabe will 86. Soon he will be no more.
Des Currie
I pray and do hope Morgan has a plan other than good intentions. Africa is littered with old who when young, nationalitic and idealistic had no plans. On becoming part of government and beginning to enjoying the trappings of wealth and power with family, relatives and supporter soon become deaf to the reality and suffering of those that are not of their own.
Morgan I fear will be worse than Mugabe, he may not murder or kill, but his actions and stance has done nothing but to reverse the growth of Zimbabwe. There are many nations and leaders and groups from Africa that sacrificed and fought for the freedom and injustices against Zimbabweans who will look at Morgan’s actions and be saddened by the warmth and embrace for those who wanted Morgan to remain as his is not today.
Is Morgan going to get the money/compensation owed to Zimbabwe from the UK since 1980, will Moran get the economic sactions lifted against Zimbabwe by the UN, US and UK?
Now Morgan has to stand with those who did not and never wanted us to stand. You will become all of the things that you accuse Mugabe for with the difference being this time, the he will be alone and worse all of his options will be directed by others thus setting Zimbabwe backwards further.
Morgan, your only chance is to publicly state to the UN, US, and UK the sanctions must be lifted immediately, compensation to black land owners paid immediately without delay, apology for past genocide committed in Zimbabwe. Without this, the rest of africa will see you as a puppet.
may GOD bless tsvangirai for taking the demands of even bloggers seriously rather than him falling into the deepest pit of following some not good for anyone advice by a particular PM that mugabe must be removed by force and morgan not to take any post.
tambua,hamisi,kenya.
I was my first official comment on Zimbabwe here. I thought this would have a been a useful intervention, for what it is worth. However, no post.
l was in zimbawe 3 years ago found the people friendly but scared and confused what to do next. l went to 30 pubs clubs was the only white person yet everyone was very nice to me l went to small villages markets never felt unsafe the people do live hard there but there is african nations doing life harder zimbawe was a sucess story in africa but they need a change now africa biggest problem is the west throghing money so they feel good about themselfs what africa needs most is good leaders accontable to its people evrything will fall in to place then. look at india and china nowhere near the resouces of africa now soon to be world leaders come on africa its your turn stay strong and kick the corupt leaders to the kerb
thank you 😉