Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Zimbabwe Generals’ Fears of Prosecution Threaten Deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/world/africa/15zimbabwe.html

By CELIA W. DUGGER
Published: October 14, 2008
JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwe’s military commanders have pressed President Robert Mugabe to shield them from prosecution for the violent crackdown on his political foes this year, senior government officials say, and his response is threatening to derail a power-sharing deal that was supposed to halt the country’s dizzying downward economic spiral.

Mr. Mugabe’s efforts to placate his generals, as well as senior politicians in his party who are disgruntled about their loss of clout, culminated in his decision last week to unilaterally claim control of ministries that have been pivotal to his 28 years of unbroken political dominance and are seen as critical to protecting his senior generals from the risk of being charged with crimes.
More on http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/world/africa/15zimbabwe.html
Two journalists contributed reporting from Harare, Zimbabwe.

No comments: