Since a power sharing agreement was brokered between Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's opposition MDC earlier this year, at least conditions in Zimbabwe's prisons have improved.  Prisoners now get three meals a day and a blanket.  That report comes from a key opposition official, Roy Bennett, who should know.  As a perennial thorn in Mugabe's side, he has been jailed more than once over the years. 

Bennett was arrested again this month, facing charges of incitement and possession of weapons to commit insurgency, sabotage, terrorism, and even banditry.  They could bring a death sentence.  His trial starts early next month.  "Roy Bennett is not being prosecuted, he is being persecuted," protested Tsvangirai.  I've meet Bennett in exile.  He is a courageous and impressive man.   

Reacting to Bennett's arrest, Tsvangirai, as Prime Minister, announced that his party would no longer attend cabinet meetings.  The arrest "has brought home the reality that as a movement we have an unreliable an unrepentant partner in the transitional government."  Tsvangirai - who himself has been targeted by Mugabe-- knew this already, but was forced into the deal.  As I wrote in February, the "'unity' deal seems to be nothing more than a cynical attempt to get sanctions lifted and aid renewed."

Optimists thought the power sharing deal would be the camel's nose under the tent, and loosen Mugabe's grip.  No evidence of that.  With Tsvangirai sitting out, and Bennett's trial nearing, Zimbabwe's low boil is heating up.  Indeed, an opposition spokesman warned this morning that acts of violence against MDC supporters are picking up again.  Jail conditions are probably the only thing looking up in this shattered land.