Zimbabwe swears in electoral, human rights commissioners

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"I think what is important is that we are able to fulfill some of the agreements," Tsvangirai said after the swearing-in ceremony, according to state news agency New Ziana. This is the first time the southern African country will have a human rights commission.

It is headed by a former dean of the University of Zimbabwe law school, Reginald Austin. The electoral commission is chaired by high court judge Simpson Mutambanengwe.

Since forming the unity government in February 2009, President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai have battled over the naming of provincial governors, a series of key political appointments, and the removal of a Western travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe and his inner circle.

Tsvangirai has accused Mugabe of obstructing full implementation of the power-sharing deal. Earlier this month, South African President Jacob Zuma announced after a trip to Harare that Mugabe and Tsvangirai had agreed to "a package of measures" to bring them toward full implementation of the agreement. The two leaders in December agreed on a slate of key appointments of officials to oversee reforms in media, elections and human rights. However, they did not name the chairpersons of the election and human rights body. Tsvangirai withdrew from the subsequent run-off, citing state-sponsored violence against his supporters and an uneven electoral playing field.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said Wednesday’s swearing in of the electoral commission was meant to pave the way to fresh elections. "The commission will go a long way in creating conditions for free and fair elections in our country," he said. Zimbabwe was thrown into crisis following a March 2008 presidential poll in which Tsvangirai beat Mugabe but took less than 50 percent of the vote.

Source: Africa The Good News