Mugabe sours the deal

last updated 8 January 2015

“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.