Zimbabwe´s opposition party opposes cabinet posts

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-13-2008 09:59

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has threatened to pull out of a national unity government if President Robert Mugabe refuses to cede control of key ministries.

Zimbabwean opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai addreses a press conference in Harare, September 2008.(AFP/File/Desmond Kwande)

Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, made the statement after Mugabe's announced he had taken control of all major cabinet posts, including those responsible for the military and police.

An official government list published on Saturday gave Mugabe's ruling party all the main ministries, allocating only lesser ministries to the MDC.

Tsvangirai said if Mugabe's party retained the defense portfolio, the MDC must be given Home Affairs, which is responsible for the police.

The ruling party defended the proposed Cabinet distribution, accusing the opposition of having close alliances with "rich friends" in the West that threaten Zimbabwe's sovereignty.

Under the power-sharing agreement, the opposition gets 16 Cabinet seats and Mugabe's party gets 15.

Mugabe remains president and head of the Cabinet, and Tsvangirai, as prime minister, heads a council of ministers responsible for government policy.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei