Zimbabwe's unity deal in trouble

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A unity government deal in Zimbabwe appears to be in trouble, an opposition party spokesman said.

An agreement over the soon-to-be-announced Cabinet could be in trouble because members of the Solomon Mujuru faction are set to be sidelined, while President Robert Mugabe rewards some in the rival Emerson Mnangagwa faction, SW Radio reported.

SW Radio reported that there are disagreements over sharing of Cabinet portfolios between ZANU PF and the Movement for Democratic Change.

The Times of London reported that Mugabe's Zanu-PF "is claiming all the powerful ministries," Nelson Chamisa of the MDC said.

"That is why there couldn't be agreement and it's being referred back to the negotiators," Chamisa was quoted as saying.

Among the ministries in contention are home affairs, which directs the police; foreign affairs, finance and local government.