Zimbabwe deal gives opposition Cabinet, police

Coalition government envisioned for two years
In neighboring South Africa, news of a deal was greeted with cautious optimism among some Zimbabwean refugees.

“Our country is beautiful. We want to develop it. We don’t want to run away again,” said Archie Tapera, 35. He called the power-sharing deal “one of the major achievements in the history of Zimbabwe.”

The deal envisions the coalition government lasting between two and 2½ years. It calls for a new constitution to be drawn up within 18 months and put to a referendum. New elections should be held 90 days after.

Tsvangirai based his claim to govern on winning the most votes in legislative and presidential elections in March. Tsvangirai did not win enough to avoid a runoff against Mugabe. An onslaught of state-sponsored violence against Tsvangirai’s supporters forced him to drop out of the presidential runoff.

Mugabe kept Tsvangirai’s name on the ballot and was declared the overwhelming winner of a June runoff, but Western nations widely denounced it as a sham.

More from msnbc.com First Read: Palin on creationism, Clinton, Fey Ice addict heads for poles, Everest | Trek posts Daily Nightly: Tim McGraw helps neighbors in need Were you paying attention? Take our weekly quiz World Blog: China puts foot down on 'Oba Mao' T-shirts Stimulus tracker: See where millions of dollars went On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM AFRICA

Africa Section Front

Cattle raiders kill at least 10 in northern Kenya Ghana illegal mine collapse kills 15 Tanzanian landslide kills 11 children, 9 adults Make peace — mom's dying wish to rebel leader son Zimbabwe judge: Torture can be raised in case Kenyan girls given a chance to dream Africa Section Front   Add Africa headlines to your news reader: