Change for Zimbabwe creates hope

President Robert Mugabe ceded some power in Zimbabwe for the first time in 28 years, signing a power-sharing deal Monday with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai amid questions on how the fierce enemies will work together to fix the collapsing economy.

Thousands of supporters of the rival parties threw stones at each other as the ceremony got under way and several hundred broke through the gates of the convention center where it took place. Police fired warning shots and set dogs on the crowd, which calmed and cheered as their leaders left after the signing.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a faction that broke away from Tsvangirai's party, all pledged to make the deal work. But long-simmering and bitter differences as well as the nation's economic collapse (inflation is officially running at 11 million per cent) have put the deal under intense pressure.

Some opposition leaders, who are unhappy that it leaves Mugabe as president and head of the government, have already criticized it privately. They fear Mugabe will exploit that, especially by playing on tensions between the two opposition groups.

Nine African leaders including mediator President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa witnessed the signing in a show of commitment to the deal, which the African Union is underwriting.

Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, chairman of the African Union, voiced the concern on many minds: "Will it hold or will it not? That is the question," he said.

Aid agencies welcomed the deal as a hopeful sign they will be able to step up food deliveries to millions of people facing hunger. "The food situation in Zimbabwe has reached crisis point," said Matthew Cochrane of the international Red Cross.

"There are already more than 2 million people who don't have food, and that number is going to rise to 5 million, which is about half the country's population, by the end of the year."

Highlights of the agreement:

• Robert Mugabe remains president and head of government, chairing the Cabinet of ministers.
• Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is prime minister with executive powers to chair a new Council of Ministers responsible for forming government policies. He also is deputy chairman of the Cabinet.
• Mugabe appoints two vice presidents.
• The opposition gets two deputy prime ministers, one for Tsvangirai's party, one for the breakaway faction led by Arthur Mutambara.
• Mugabe, acting in consultation with the prime minister, may dissolve Parliament.
• A Cabinet of 31 ministers, 15 nominated by Mugabe's party, 13 by Tsvangirai and three by Mutambara.
• A new constitution to be drafted with input from civic groups. Consultations to start within a month and a referendum to be held within two years.
• State organs and institutions such as the police and army "do not belong to any political party and should be impartial in the discharge of their duties."
• All parties commit to working toward the lifting of Western sanctions and "re-engaging the international community" to end the country's isolation.
• An "open media environment" to be promoted by the re-registration and licensing of journalists and media organizations.