Mugabe sours the deal
Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe flouts the pact with PM Tsvangirai.
“It took a lot of international pressure to force President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to accept a power-sharing deal,” said the International Herald Tribune in an editorial, but it seems “it will take a lot more to force Mugabe to respect it.” Last weekend, he said his loyalists will control both the police and the army—the real sources of power in Zimbabwe. Rival Morgan Tsvangirai is rightly calling foul.
So should Tsvangirai walk away, said The Zimbabwean in an editorial, or “hang in there” until Mugabe respects the deal? “It’s a tough call.” Clearly, “Mugabe would like them to walk,” so he can blame the collapse on Tsvangirai—and that may be the best reason to stick it out. Mugabe’s not used to sharing, but time is on Tsvangirai’s side.
It’s unclear who’s left to “move things forward,” said Amanda Hillman in Democracy Arsenal. Recently ousted South African President Thabo Mbeki, who mediated the deal, was always unhelpfully pro-Mugabe, and his participation in talks seems increasingly unlikely. South Africa is the de facto “regional power,” but “greater international action” is needed to force Mugabe to share.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published