Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday by old enemy President Robert Mugabe and vowed to salvage the ruined economy. Their power-sharing deal has raised hopes among Zimbabweans of an end to widespread hardship, but wrangling since they signed their agreement in September has stirred doubts over whether they can work together to bring in aid and investment.
Tsvangirai, 56, was sworn in by Mugabe, 84, who has ruled with his ZANU-PF party since independence from Britain in 1980. Tsvangirai gave a little smile as he finished taking the oath in front of Mugabe, who displayed his usual confidence.
"I want to assure you that this is the only workable arrangement and I can assure you that I and my party will give it our utmost," said Tsvangirai, who cut his political teeth in the labour movement as a mine foreman. Mugabe said the parties should build on the deal "by turning our swords into ploughshares".
Tsvangirai won a first round presidential poll against Mugabe last year but boycotted a subsequent run-off over violence. He said rescuing the economy would be a top priority. "We must get the country working again," said Tsvangirai in his inauguration address.
He called on the world to help Zimbabwe recover. It is suffering unemployment above 90 percent, prices double every day, half the 12 million population need food aid and a cholera epidemic has killed nearly 3,500 people.
But foreign investors and Western donors have made it clear money will come only when a new democratic government is formed and bold economic reforms are taken - such as reversing nationalisation policies.
"Mr Tsvangirai and his team have a formidable challenge in bringing legitimacy and reform to Zimbabwe's government, in improving the economy and in delivering basic services," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement. Washington was also cautious. The State Department said it wanted evidence of "real power-sharing" and "good governance" before providing development aid or easing sanctions.
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