Zimbabwean Leaders Finally Sign Power sharing Accord

Zimbabwe’s rival leaders finally signed a power sharing accord Monday, formalizing a political deal that will see President Robert Mugabe cede some power to Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The two leaders and minority opposition leader Arthur Mutambara inked the landmark deal before a cheering crowd in Harare, in a ceremony attended by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the deal, as well as Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Swaziland’s King Mswati III. The deal, which retains Mugabe as President with Tsvangirai becoming executive Prime Minister and leader of government business in parliament, culminates a six month political crisis that erupted when Mugabe became intransigent following his defeat by Tsvangirai in a March 29 first round presidential vote. [PE]