Tsvangirai Proposes Prime Minister Post

Wrangling over the future of Zimbabwe after the country's sham elections continues, as opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has proposed a power-sharing deal that would leave Robert Mugabe as president, but would see himself become prime minister. More:

"George Sibotshiwe, MDC spokesman, told Al Jazeera: 'It is a proposal that he has made, his proposal is that you need a head of government and one head of state. As far he is concerned the most important thing is that separation.'

He said that the MDC had not yet shown any signs that Mugabe was prepared to agree to such a deal.

'The proposal was being presented to Sadc heads of state and obviously we wait to hear from them. I think the Sadc heads of state are engaging with the leadership of [Mugabe's] Zanu-PF and seeing if we can find common ground,' Sibotshiwe said.

A South African official close to the negotiations said remaining points of contention included whether Mugabe would retain the right to hire and fire ministers and how long a transitional government would remain in place.

According to a copy of a speech obtained by The Associated Press news agency, Tsvangirai told Sadc ministers: 'We have agreed that Mr Mugabe will be president whilst I become prime minister.

'We envisage that the prime minister must chair the cabinet and be responsible for the formulation, execution and administration of government business, including appointing and dismissing his ministers.'"

How long would such a governing partnership last? Not long, I would predict, as each side would continually be accused of pecking away at the other's rights and responsibilities within such a government. It wouldn't be like Russia, where Vladimir Putin decrees more power for the prime minister and his protege, Dmitry Medvedev, just readily agrees. However, a larger stake in the government could give Tsvangirai -- eventually -- more clout at the African Union and on the world stage.

(Photo by Naashon Zalk/Getty Images)