Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Vice Presidents sworn in

Vice Presidents sworn in
Our reporter
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:52:00 +0000

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has sworn in his two vice presidents, the Zimbabwe Guardian has learnt. Vice presidents Mrs Joice Mujuru and Joseph Msika took office effective today (Monday) after the swearing in ceremony at State House. Under the current constitution and the agreement brokered by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki, President Mugabe is allowed to choose two vice presidents.

A source in the Ministry of Information said the appointment of the two vice presidents did not jeopardize the on-going power-sharing talks, as they were not in dispute and President Mugabe was acting within his mandate.

According to the power-sharing arrangement signed last month by President Mugabe and the leaders of the two MDC formations, there are to be two deputy vice presidents and two deputy prime ministers, with Morgan Tsvangirai to appoint one of his two deputies and Arthur Mutambara, leader of another MDC splinter formation, to appoint the other.

President Mugabe will retain his two deputies. Of the 31 cabinet portfolios, Zanu PF will be responsible for 15 and Tsvangirai’s MDC 13. Mutambara will inherit the remaining three.

A new constitution will be drawn up within 18 months from the day of the official signing ceremony, that is September 15. The power-sharing deal will be reviewed every year.

Labels: NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT

posted by MrK @ 8:45 PM