Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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Showing entries for Category: Zimbabwe

The nuts and bolts of the Zimbabwe compromise

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September 12, 2:13 PM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

There are now some details beginning to emerge on the South African negotiated compromise between Robert Mugabe (and his Zanu PF party) and Morgan Tsvangirai (and his MDC party) for the rule of Zimbabwe. Following weeks of negotiations, Mugabe and Tsvangirai have agreed to each have government leadership positions with the majority of senior government ministers coming from the opposition MDC party.

Robert Mugabe stays President and chairs Cabinet meetings. He will also head the defence and security services including the Central Intelligence Organisation, Zimbabwe's secret police. Two ceremonial vice-presidents will be Zanu (PF) appointees.

Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), will be Prime Minister and vice-chair of the Cabinet. He will also chair the Council of Ministers, which oversees the Cabinet of 31 - 15 Zanu (PF), 13 MDC and three from a breakaway wing of the MDC. If the two MDCs work together in Cabinet they will therefore have a majority. Mr Tsvangirai must also be consulted on the appointment of judges and senior officials. (Link)

While the compromise sounds fraught with potential conflict, the people of Zimbabwe are happy to have the stalemate behind them. Unknown at this point is the status of future elections. MDC has called for elections in two years while Mugabe's Zanu PF party has demanded a five year term.

News of the compromise resulted in shares of Zimbabwe focused investment groups to realize great gains in European markets today:

Shares in Zimbabwe-focused investment group LonZim (LZM.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) were up more than 5 percent early on Friday from an all-time low on Thursday at a time when a deal had looked difficult.

London-listed shares in Mwana Africa (MWA.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) which operates nickel mines in the country, also rose 9.8 pct in the morning. (Link)

This type of compromise has a reasonably well functioning precedent; the government of Kenya. After a close and suspect election last December, a coalition government was formed with Mwai Kibaki functioning as the President and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, became the Prime Minister.

Topics: Zimbabwe , Tsvangirai , Mugabe

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UN vetoes Zimbabwe sanctions

1 comment

July 11, 4:11 PM

Just unfathomable. A draft resolution to impose sanctions on the Zimbabwean government of Robert Mugabe has been vetoed by the United Nations Security Council. The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo and financial and travel restrictions... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe

A Zimbabwe Update

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July 5, 10:16 AM

The Washington Post has an horrifying recap of the Mugabe regime's efforts to ignore the will of the Zimbabwean people: Mugabe, the only leader this country has known since its break from white rule nearly three decades ago, agreed to remain in the... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe

Mugabe Sworn In As President

1 comment

June 29, 3:45 PM

From Reuters: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was sworn in today after being declared the landslide winner of a widely condemned election which African observers said was scarred by violence and intimidation. Mugabe was the only candidate and... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe , Mugabi

No Suspense For Mugabe

2 comments

June 28, 8:28 PM

It's being reported the voting results are delayed, but there's no doubt who will win last Fridays presidential election in Zimbabwe. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe's rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew from the runoff election last week, hoping... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe , Mugabi

Zimbabwe

2 comments

June 22, 8:47 PM

From the Guardian UK: The opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday pulled out of this week's presidential election in Zimbabwe, saying he is not prepared to ask people to die by voting for him, and accusing Robert Mugabe of "waging a war against... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe

Morgan Tsvangirai's TV Ad

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June 19, 11:55 AM

Zimbabwe presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai's television ad in advance of the June 27th runoff election between himself and President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe and his army have engaged in a campaign of terror to squash the Tsvangirai vote and... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe , Tsvangirai , TV Ad

Zimbabwe: "Your Vote Is Your Bullet"

16 comments

June 17, 5:17 PM

The runoff election between President Mugabe (Zanu-PF party) and Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) is scheduled for June 27th. Robert Mugabe does not intend to lose.From the Guardian UK: The soldiers and ruling party militiamen herded the people of Rusape... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe , Tsvangirai , Mugabe

Zimbabwe

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June 12, 9:30 AM

I've written on and off on my blog, swimming freestyle. about the unraveling situation in Zimbabwe following the national elections at the end of March. When it became clear challenger Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party had bested incumbent tyrant President... Read More
Topics: Zimbabwe , Mugabi , Tsvangirai