The power-sharing deal is expected to help jump-start the effort to reshape Zimbabwe’s government and pull the nation out of economic crisis. But the leaders must reach an agreement in order to proceed with the transformation.

As the International Herald Tribune reports, this power-share agreement marks the first time President Mugabe has ceded his power in 28 years. It is clear that he is reluctant to actually do so. He is protective of his position. While Mugabe did agree in Monday’s negotiations to cede some of his authority, he is very specific as to which powers he will share. Tsvangirai demands control over five of the main ministries of the Zimbabwe government, including Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Media, Information and Policy, Tsvangirai, Finance, and Justice and Legal affairs. According to Mugabe and his spokesmen, these ministries – especially finance (as part of the national agenda) and direction of armed forces in foreign affairs – are inherent to the duties of the president. In directing these departments, Tsvangirai would draw much of the government control away from President Mugabe. Just as Mugabe is adamant about maintaining and securing his authority, so to is Tsvangirai equally determined to acquire as much power as possible.

Mugabe has referred to the power-sharing agreement as a ‘humiliation’, and while he did officially agree to the terms, he still claims, “Anyhow here we are, still in a dominant position which will enable us to gather more strength as we move into the future. We remain in the driving seat,” Mugabe said. He is confident in his presence in and control of the negotiations and the government.

Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai are stubborn, found bickering over their personal desires for power instead of joining forces to combat Zimbabwe’s struggles.