Zimbabwe Rivals Agree to Start Negotiations

Robert Mugabe has signed a deal with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai establishing negotiations on the future of Zimbabwe, the BBC reports. The rivals met for the first time in 10 years to sign the agreement, which South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki witnessed. The deal does not create the power-sharing structure Mbeki proposed; it creates a framework for further negotiations.

Tsvangirai characterized the agreement as the "first tentative step towards searching for a solution to a country that is in crisis. We want to make sure that every Zimbabwean feels safe, we want to share a common prosperity for everyone.” But he noted that his opposition MDC had many conditions, such as the cessation of army intimidation of supporters, before talks could begin. (More Zimbabwe stories.)