What does the power-sharing deal mean for those in Zimbabwe?

The recent power-sharing agreement signed between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai is game-changing for those in Zimbabwe. We should applaud the Movement for Democratic Change for gaining at least some power in this new situation.

Previously, Mugabe alone had been a leader of the government rife with corruption, routinely making apparent trades of government aid for votes. As time went on, he became “one of the last of Africa’s ruthlessly autocratic ‘big men,’ ” in the words of the New York Times.

Thankfully, there will most likely be one fewer “big man” in Africa. In the March 2008 elections, Mr. Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took an apparent lead. Mr. Mugabe, of course, disputed results, and the resulting situation was problematic for Zimbabwe, which has been continually plagued with typical Third-World problems.

This seems to have come to an end recently, as a power-sharing agreement was worked out. The details are still uncertain, but relatively optimistic. Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, mediated the deal between the two and apparently led the the competing leaders to an agreement.

This may be one of the few peaceable changes from an autocratic government to a relatively stable government. While we should be cautious about the new government, which may end up being a front for Mr. Mugabe, his willingness to participate in the discussions is a reassuring sign.

The road ahead for Zimbabwe is not an easy one. The people will be plagued with hunger and doubt. But if the new government can successfully implement a free-enterprise system of government to maximize the freedom of Zimbabwe, the nation could become a model for the rest of the Third World to emulate. We should be cautiously optimistic about this true “New Deal” for the people of Zimbabwe.

Samuel’s Comments: Interesting. This article seems to be a bit reserved about judgment, and that is definitely good. However, it seems the people voted Tsvangirai into power, not Mugabe. So it should have been a transfer of power already. I wonder if the power-sharing deal was done by Mugabe to retain control as much as possible.