Zuma set to toughen stance on Zimbabwe

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FANUEL JONGWE | HARARE, ZIMBABWE - May 04 2009

Jacob Zuma will inherit a still-simmering crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe, where analysts said he's unlikely to tread as softly as his predecessor Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki brokered the power-sharing deal that brought Zimbabwe's long-time President Robert Mugabe together with his erstwhile rival Morgan Tsvangirai, who became prime minister in a unity government in February.

Under the joint administration, Zimbabwe has halted its spectacular economic collapse, abandoning its worthless currency and easing price controls, which has brought food back on to store shelves.

But with unemployment at 94% and more than half the population surviving on international food aid, the country remains mired in a humanitarian crisis that shows few signs of easing.

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