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The dire situation in Zimbabwe has been commented upon here before, as the southern African nation slipped further towards the brink of total devastation. Now, with an unemployment rate of 90%, a worthless currency, a cholera epidemic that has killed thousands, and most of its skilled workers having fled to South Africa and beyond, Zimbabwe seems to be about as close to rock bottom as a country with an elected government can get.

Today, however, the first beacon of hope in a long, long time was ignited. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister, in a landmark power-sharing agreement with long-ruling president Robert Mugabe.

The details of the power-sharing agreement are complex, and far from ideal. Despite winning more seats in Zimbabwe's parliament in an election last March, Tsvangirai's party will still hold a minority position in government, secondary to Mugabe's Zanu-PF. Additionally, the president retains power over the armed forces and the ability to sack Tsangvirai, should he see fit.

The whole thing reeks of the same kind of sham politics that have dominated the country for decades and run one of Africa's strongest economies into the ground. At 84, Mugabe seems to have little to gain from changing his ways at such a late juncture, and everything to lose. Nonetheless, an opposition leader in government is better than no opposition at all.

According to reports from the area, feeling among Zimbabweans ranges from skepticism to cautious optimism. While change is certainly in the air recently, they might be excused for doubting that it has come to their country this week.