US: Mugabe cabinet a sham
2008-09-05 20:49
Special Report
Zimbabwe PM Morgan Tsvangirai has complained that his unity government deal with President Mugabe is not being implemented and has appealed for SA help.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he doesn't expect the US sanctions on his country to be lifted soon.
Mbabanae - The top US envoy for Africa says Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should focus on power-sharing talks, not appointing a Cabinet unilaterally.
Mugabe has said he is prepared to name a Cabinet without input from his opposition. The opposition says that would undermine talks aimed at forming a coalition government.
US envoy Jendayi Frazer says a Cabinet named by Mugabe alone would be a "sham". She spoke on Friday to reporters in Swaziland, where she was to attend weekend independence celebrations. Frazer is the assistant US secretary of state for African affairs.
Frazer says Mugabe should be negotiating a power-sharing agreement that would take into account the opposition's victory in a first round of presidential elections in March.
- SAPA