After 11 months of devastating violence, Zimbabwe's waring factions came together in a sign of unity today. President Robert Mugabe presided over the swearing in of his nemesis, Morgan Tsvangirai, who became prime minister.
Last March, Tsvangirai ran against Mugabe for the presidency. Tsvangirai claimed victory, but Mugabe would not give up his seat, and held a discredited run-off election. Since then civilians have suffered horrific violence, usually at the hands of Mugabe-controlled security forces.
Today, Tsvangirai presented his intention to turn the page. After his rival swore him in, he declared:
We must build on this unity by turning our swords into plowshares. . . . Political violence must end today. We can no longer afford brother against brother because one happened to have a different political opinion. I can assure that the culture of impunity and violation of human rights must end, and it must end today.
Hopefully, this power-sharing deal will prevail as a powerful example for other places suffering political violence.
- Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), is sworn in by President Rober
- Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is sworn in as prime minister.
- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe attends the swearing in ceremony of new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
- Zimbabaweans greet their new Prime Minister.
- Tsvangirai vowed to rebuild Zimbabwe's shattered economy and end political violence.
James Darby
Repetto
Antik Batik
YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1Without violence slowly but surely we are pushing out the dictatorship. Now it's up to the ministers as well to start fixing their sectors but the ones Morgan has chosen are great at what they do and have been beaten up and tortured but still stood firm.
2"But in a swipe at widespread human rights abuses in Zimbabwe under Mr. Mugabe’s regime, Mr. Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters at a rally that “political violence must end today.”
"IN A SWIPE" - how about 'cautioning his supporters', or 'warning Mugabe loyalists'? It wasn't political sniping, it's a very important point.
Good luck to them - makes our problems seem like business as usual.
3Nya, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations! What's the mood there?
4Nya, congratulations; this looks promising. How are the reactions from people?
5Well put, Nya!
6What wonderful news!!! Nya, congratulations
!!! How is your family handling the news?
7People are happy but also cautious. we wanted Mugabe totally gone but short of a war which no one want this is the next best thing. civil servants will be paid and schools will reopen on Monday thank you Lord so all signs are positive. The man he has chosen to overhaul our economy is Tendai Biti and he is one of the most amazing men out there and a lot of people are sure he is the solution we need to fix our economy, now if the could only fire the head of our central bank
8oh and people climbed trees and cellphone towers to see his inauguration, to say that the mood was jubilant is an understatement, didn't go to class to celebrate with my friends from back home lol
9http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7884307.stm
10Thanks for the story.
11Thanks for the Nya!!! Enjoy the celebration...it's definitely been a LONG time coming!!!!
12Congrats Nya
13"oh and people climbed trees and cellphone towers to see his inauguration, to say that the mood was jubilant is an understatement, didn't go to class to celebrate with my friends from back home lol "
That must have been awesome to see, nya!!
14Congrats, Nya!! your statement about people climbing cell phone towers just made my eyes sting with tears. how moving it must have been!
15Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.