VP selections puts power-sharing Zimbabwe deal in jeopardy

ZIMBABWEAN president Robert Mugabe has sworn in two vice presidents ahead of talks on forming a cabinet, a government official has said, a move that could further endanger power-sharing negotiations.

It follows Mugabe’s allocation of important ministries to his ZANU-PF party at the weekend, angering the opposition. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it doubted mediation by former South African president Thabo Mbeki would get ZANU-PF to compromise.

A senior government official said: “The two vice presidents were sworn in this morning because their positions are not in dispute.”