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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The best shows to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2025
The Week Recommends The world's biggest arts festival is back with an incredible line-up
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resort
Under the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
The 5 best TV reboots of all time
The Week Recommends Finding an entirely new cast to play beloved characters is harder than it looks
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?