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                Mugabe Signs New Zimbabwe Constitution Into Law

   by VOA News

   Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has signed into law a long-awaited
   new constitution that curbs presidential powers and clears the way for
   new elections.
   The constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a March
   referendum with the support of both main parties in Zimbabwe's
   coalition government.
   A new constitution was one of the conditions of the 2008 power-sharing
   deal between President Mugabe and his longtime opponent Morgan
   Tsvangirai, who is now prime minister.
   The new charter imposes a limit of two five-year presidential terms,
   although longtime President Mugabe, who is 89, will be allowed to seek
   office again.
   Other changes include more rights for women and a scaling back of the
   death penalty to exempt women, the young and the elderly.
   Zimbabwe is expected to hold general elections later this year to end
   the coalition government formed after the disputed 2008 polls.
   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/mugabe-signs-new-zimbabwe-constitutio
   n-into-law/1665867.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/mugabe-signs-new-zimbabwe-constitution-into-law/1665867.html