|PIC1|Catholic development agency Progressio has given a cautious welcome to Zimbabwe's new power sharing agreement announced by South African President Thabo Mbeki last week.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF and the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai are expected to sign the Government of National Unity into existence on Monday, ending six months of political deadlock and violence between supporters of both parties.

Dr Steve Kibble, Progressio Advocacy Co-ordinator, said that it would be some time yet before Zimbabwe's woes were put right.

"While offering a cautious welcome to this news we know from the people we work with in Zimbabwe that there is currently a lack of clarity about the detail of the agreement and there is a long road ahead before the manifold crises of Zimbabwe will be overcome."

Dr Kibble added: "It is very early days. We have no idea at the moment who will be in charge of the key areas of security and policing, or just how long the term of the Government of National Unity will be in order that the conditions for free and fair elections are created."

He said that Zimbabwe faced the huge challenge of restoring confidence in outside investors and securing the removal of limited sanctions.

Progressio is calling for the immediate cessation of violence and the unfettered access of humanitarian and UN agencies to reach those in need. It is also seeking the removal of a ban on NGOs working on human rights and democracy, as well as prosecution of the suspected perpetrators of the violence.

Dr Kibble said Progressio's partners in Zimbabwe were calling for the complete restoration of democratic structures.

"[They] say that in the medium term they will need not only conditions for free and fair elections, but also the widest possible transparent process for a new people-driven constitution," he reported.

"They will also need reform of the judiciary, police, civil service, military, and the disbanding of the Joint Operations Command (JOC). A process of truth-seeking and reconciliation will also have to be undertaken."

The international community should offer recovery programmes once Zimbabwe took firm steps towards normality and democracy, he added.