200809132075 | 'Deal unlikely to end Zimbabwe's woes'

'Deal unlikely to end Zimbabwe's woes'

Harare - Zimbabwean aid groups have said that the power-sharing deal between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition would not end the country's woes. "A government of national unity founded upon an elitist power sharing agreement is no guarantee that the humanitarian and other needs of the people of Zimbabwe will be addressed and healed," the National Association of Non-governmental Organisations has said

The umbrella body of at least 1 000 humanitarian and rights groups described the talks which led to the deal between Mugabe and two opposition leaders as "flawed".

Mugabe, opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara who heads a breakaway faction of the MDC, endorsed an agreement on Thursday to forge a power-sharing government.

The three will sign the agreement on Monday at a ceremony in Harare to be attended by regional leaders.

In June, Mugabe's government ordered humanitarian organisations to suspend operations after accusing NGOs of using food aid to sway voters against his party in elections.

Mugabe's party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 28 years.

The ban on NGOs was lifted two weeks ago but authorities imposed stringent measures including regular submission of details relating to their funding and stocks.