Kenya PM calls for Mugabe removal
 Robert Mugabe blames Western sanctions for Zimbabwe's woes |
Power-sharing in Zimbabwe is dead and it is time for African governments to oust President Robert Mugabe, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.
After talks with Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Nairobi, Mr Odinga told the BBC that Mr Mugabe had no interest in sharing power.
Zimbabwe has been in political deadlock over a unity coalition government deal, following disputed polls this year.
It is also in the grip of a cholera outbreak that has claimed 565 lives.
State media meanwhile reported the arrest of 10 soldiers who allegedly ran amok in the capital Harare on Monday because a bank had no money to pay their wages. Six other soldiers accused of looting last week had also been held.
"Power-sharing is dead in Zimbabwe and will not work with a dictator who does not really believe in power-sharing," Mr Odinga told the BBC.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi says the Kenya prime minister had also held talks with Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa's ruling African National Congress party.
Mr Zuma declared a new alliance between his party and the Kenyan leader, designed to elevate the Zimbabwe issue, she says.
'National emergency'
Mr Odinga said that if Mr Mugabe were isolated, he would have no choice but to quit.
"Therefore it's time for African governments to take decisive action to push him out of power."
 |   Our central hospitals are literally not functioning  Health Minister David Parirenyatwa  |
Our reporter says his comments are some of the most outspoken by an African leader and could signal a ramping up of pressure against Mr Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai has been on a whirlwind tour of several African countries appealing for help.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have declared a cholera outbreak - at least 12,545 cases have been recorded since August - to be a national emergency, state media reports.
As recently as last week, Zimbabwean officials had said there was no need to view cholera as an emergency.
But Health Minister David Parirenyatwa warned on Wednesday that hospitals were badly lacking in basic medical supplies, equipment and staff.
"Our central hospitals are literally not functioning," he told the Herald newspaper.
Most of Zimbabwe's capital has been without water since Sunday. State media said the water was cut because of a lack of purification tablets to help prevent the spread of cholera.
The European Commission has pledged more than $12m (
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