HARARE – Some of Zimbabwe’s top military commanders on Tuesday saluted Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, in what was seen as a sign of easing relations after the security commanders had previously vowed not to salute the Premier.Airforce of Zimbabwe commander Perence Shiri and Zimbabwe National Army commander Philip Sibanda rose to salute Tsvangirai as he arrived at a ceremony to mark Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day in Harare.
The two commanders were also seen shaking hands with the former trade union leader who last February agreed to bring his MDC party together with President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party in a unity government to try to ease political tensions in Zimbabwe after inconclusive elections last year.
The coalition government has done well to stabilize the economy and end inflation that private economists at one time estimated at more than a trillion percent at the height of the country’s economic meltdown last year.
But analysts have remained doubtful about the administration’s long-term effectiveness, citing unending squabbles between ZANU PF and the MDC, refusal by rich Western countries to financially back the government and open refusal by hardliner security commanders to recognise Tsvangirai’s authority.
However, there were signs that relations between military commanders and Tsvangirai could be thawing after the generals finally agreed late last month to attend the National Security Council meetings that they had boycotted because the MDC leader is a member.
Tsvangirai’s spokesman James Maridadi told the media that the meeting had helped break the ice between the two sides and claimed generals now recognised the Prime Minister.
“This is why you saw some of the service chiefs saluting today. I hope this marks the beginning of a good working relationship,” said Maridadi.
Zimbabwe’s army and police are credited with keeping Mugabe in power after waging a ruthless campaign of violence last year to force Tsvangirai to withdraw from a second round presidential poll that analysts had strongly tipped the former opposition leader to win.
Tsvangirai had beaten Mugabe in the first round ballot but failed to achieve outright victory to avoid the second round run-off poll.
The former foes eventually bowed to pressure from southern African leaders to agree to form a government of national unity that analysts say offers Zimbabwe the best opportunity in a decade to end its multi-faceted crisis. -- ZimOnline.
