Zimbabwe’s leader of the main Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai is set to be sworn in as the country’s Prime Minister this Wednesday along with two Deputy Ministers, Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe, as the three political parties, Zanu PF, MDC-Tsvangirai and MDC-Mutambara undertake to complete the formation of an inclusive government by Friday, February 13.
February 13 will see the completion of the unity government with the appointment and swearing in of cabinet ministers from the three parties.
The MDC leader who came close to toppling 84-year-old Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe last March in the presidential plebiscite is expected to address thousands of Zimbabweans at Glamis sports club in the capital Harare after the private swearing in ceremony. He is expected to chart the way forward for the country’s economic and political revival through an ambitious 100-day programme of reconstruction and democratization.
Despite reservations from the West on Mugabe’s seriousness in sharing power with the MDC, Tsvangirai is also expected to make an appeal to the West, particularly Britain, the United States and European Union to bankroll the new government with the much needed financial aid to salvage the Southern African’s country’s decade long collapsed economy.
In a statement that appears to be a direct appeal to its support base, MDC said no party dress would be entertained as the occasion is more of a national event than a party rally.
“No party regalia will be entertained at the event as this is not a party occasion but a major national event.”
“This will be a historic occasion for the country. It marks the beginning of a new era; the final miles of a journey to a new Zimbabwe,” added the statement.
Meanwhile parliamentarians from all the political parties unanimously endorsed constitutional amendment no 19 bill last Thursday and has since forwarded it to President Mugabe for him to sign it into law. The passing of the bill into an Act of Parliament will legalise the framework of the unity government.
