Some Zimbabweans are expressing doubtthat embattled President Robert Mugabe will gracefully step down soon. Thestatement follows Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai claims the unity agreementenables Mugabe to have a "dignified exit".
Mugabe'spolicies are often blamed for Zimbabwe's economic and political crisis.
Formeropposition leader Tsvangirai agreed to join a unity government with Mugabe toresolve the country's economic meltdown.
Political analyst Rejoice Mbowenyatold VOA that Zimbabweans are not convinced Mugabe willcede power to his opponents.
"Asfar as we are concerned, the brand name that counts in ZANU-PF is Mugabe, andthere is nothing in the agreement that creates any opportunity or anyalternative for Mugabe to retire," Mbowenya said.
Hesaid Tsvangirai is being overly confident about Mugabe's possible exit frompower.
"Ithink the prime minister is living in a very dangerous comfort zone. Mugabe ineach and every meeting that he has done after the unity agreement had mentionedthe importance of resuscitating ZANU-PF in strengthening its structures," hesaid.
Mbowenyasaid Tsvangirai has often questioned Mugabe's pledge about preserving humanrights.
"Whenhe (Tsvangirai) is put in a situation where has to comment about the humanrights violations and about the abuse of legislation and authority, he alwayscomes out clearly that Mugabe doesn't seem to be committed to living up to theexpectations," Mbowenya said.
Hesaid Mugabe wants to preserve his image.
"Thefacts on the ground are very clear that Mugabe?wants to protect his politicalreputation. And so far, Zimbabweans are not very convinced that the politicalside of things is going on Tsvangirai's side," he said.
Mbowenyasaid there are suspicions of the intent of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party in the unitygovernment.
"Thehistory of the Zimbabwe political agreement only point to one thing, that whenZANU-PF is talking about unity, they are talking about decimating opposition?so ZANU-PF is a one party state institution," Mbowenya said.
Some politicalobservers say donors seem to be channeling funds through United Nationsagencies or charities instead of giving directly to the unity government whereMugabe still wields significance influence.
Mbowenyasaid ZANU-PF partisans have been speculating that they are being sidelined bythe donor community.
"Thepublic propaganda machinery is spinning stories around that the internationalcommunity through the funding agencies is trying to divide the government intrying to isolate ZANU-PF members of parliament and entities in thegovernment," Mbowenya said.
Buthe said some Zimbabweans welcome the apparent isolation of ZANU-PF members bythe international community.
PrimeMinister Tsvangirai in the United Kingdom has been wrapping up a three weekmission to North America and various European countries, hoping to raise moredonor funds to help jumpstart Zimbabwe's ailing economy.