Zimbabwean prime minister-elect Morgan Tsvangirai on Tuesday described President Robert Mugabe as “giving up” and said that he would seek to govern by sidelining the beleaguered president, whose own party is “moving on” without him.
But, in an exclusive interview, Tsvangirai acknowledged that a climate of suspicion and mistrust between his own Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party would test his political skills as prime minister at the head of a coalition government of former opponents — some of whom are responsible for overseeing a vicious campaign of violence against other members of the new administration.
That suspicion will not be eased by a warning from Tsvangirai that while Mugabe is unlikely to be called to account for his crimes, others in the Zanu-PF leadership — including some who may sit in the new Cabinet — could face trial.
“I don’t think Mugabe himself as a person can be held accountable. But there are various levels of institutional violence that has taken place and I’m sure we’ll be able to look at that,” he said. “Let the rule of law apply ... We all cry for the rule of law, and if somebody’s committed an offense he should be prosecuted.”
Under the power-sharing deal signed on Monday, Tsvangirai will head a council of ministers responsible for the day-to-day running of the country, while Mugabe will chair a Cabinet of the same ministers to agree policy. The two factions of the MDC combined have a majority of one in both bodies.
Tsvangirai acknowledged that working in the Cabinet would be difficult.
“There’s an inherent suspicion, there’s inherent mistrust of Robert Mugabe. It’s understandable given his history, given his role. It’s part of his legacy. But he also must understand that the future is not in the hands of Robert Mugabe. The future is in the hands of those who are advocating a change of direction because that is what is going to rescue this country. And I think he appreciates that,” he said.
Tsvangirai believed that heading the council of ministers, without Mugabe present, would allow him to sideline the president and govern directly by establishing a working relationship with Zanu-PF Cabinet ministers who realize that Mugabe is part of the past.
“That’s the whole purpose of having a council of ministers, that we are able to build a structured relationship outside the Cabinet,” he said.
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