Thursday, February 26, 2009

Detainees split Zimbabwe cabinet

Detainees split Zimbabwe cabinet

President Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
Mr Tsvangirai says the detentions threaten power-sharing

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said the country's attorney general is blocking the release of political detainees.

About 30 activists are currently being held, including a senior member of Mr Tsvangirai's MDC party, Roy Bennett.

Mr Tsvangirai said President Robert Mugabe had agreed a deal that would see the release of the detainees.

But he has now accused the attorney general's office of "wilfully obstructing" the process.

Mr Tsvangirai said the continuing detention of President Mugabe's political opponents was only one issue threatening the power-sharing agreement that has brought him and his MDC party into government.

Challenges

He also expressed concern about the latest wave of disruptions on white-owned farms in Zimbabwe, which he said was undermining efforts to revive the agricultural sector and restore investor confidence.

"As long as these matters remain unresolved," said Mr Tsvangirai, "it will be impossible for the transitional government to move forward."

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who has been visiting South Africa, said the UN stood ready to help Zimbabwe with its economic and humanitarian challenges.

But Mr Ban said there would be more support if there was political reconciliation.

He said he hoped, therefore, that the detainees would be released as soon as possible.

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