The joint authors surprisingly have kept silent on the pressing need to tackle also the widespread corruption, the fate of Mugabe's cronies at the head of various institutions like the Army, Police and Prisons services, the Reserve Bank, etc.

It is obvious that these will act deliberately in favour of ZANU-PF with a clear eye on the planned coming elections in 18 months.

The authors are too optimistic that if their suggested ideas are implemented Zimbabwe will change course for the better.

Whatever happens in the coming months, Mbeki's scheme forced upon Tsvangirai has got its own inbuilt explosive mix. The three parties will be unable to cooperate for the higher interest of the citizens. First of all, their survival instinct will commit them to groom their respective image at the expense of the others.

Real change will only come after the elections in 18 months time, if ever the lunatic Mugabe can be reigned in to respect his signature on the power-sharing agreement.

Prem, interesting analysis, even though I do not agree with it! Be careful what you wish for...Even if Mugabe were to die, there is not guarantee of real peace or economic prosperity. Tsvangirai, has not yet been put to test of leadership. Signs are that he will do well and restore Zimbabwe to it's old glory....but you never know.

Prem, Pristine, Pure, Perfect and Pontificating - You spend every waking moment monitoring this website and wagging your index finger at us Africans s though your very life depended on it. Britain has ammassed people like you, all her NGO's, her ambassadors, her diplomats, all her broadcast, print and electronic media as well as all the Rent-A-Blacks who work on white owned newspapers in Africa to daily express her opinion on Zimbabwe and post it to this website!!! The strategy has backfired - Britains desperation over Zimbabwe is now palpable. Britain no longer has a sense of proportion. She no longer cares that she is embarrassing herself on the world stage over Zimbabwe. One of the most embarrassing episodes in recent memory was watching the Labour Party Conference giving a standing ovation to the Speak of the House of the Zimbabwe parliament!!! You could'nt make it up. anyway I am going to leave to do what you do best. Monitor this website and preach to us Africans. Good Day.

Afro dimwit , it may help if you listened to some of the good advice and took heed to the finger wagging. Afrika is a mess because of afro dimwits like you who like to play the blame game. What have you ever done good for Afrika but spout slogans against the west that are not helpful or true ? It scares you that some Afrikans recognise your ineptitude to do anything so you resort to name calling , like rent a Black, people like you cause the world to Resent A Black and do not help our cause. I used to read the comics but sadly my Afrikan brothers provide more laughs with their ridiculous diatribe on here. No wonder Prem monitors this website. He or She has an excellent sense of humour and enjoys a good chuckle ! All the best Afro dimwit.

Prem - I must have missed it somewhere along the line, but I was not aware that an election in 18 months is being discussed. I thought that the proposed GNU was meant to last 5 years (5 weeks is looking a little optimistic at present). Can you confirm for me that 18 months is being talked about. Thanks

Dear katz, some informed observers estimate that the new constitution will be put to a referendum in some 18 months time from the day the GNU becomes operational.

Obviously, the electoral campaign will kick off immediately thereafter even if a set dates for the elections would still have to be agreed between the tree parties. MDCs think elections can be concluded in 3O months time, in the worst scenario.

What, however, may surprise the MDCs would be a switf decision by Mugabe to hold elections as quickly as possible following some signs of improvements in the economy. Mugabe fears that a massive return of the exiles too soon would give the MDC-T a big advantage over numbers of supporters effectively on the ground ready to vote with their foot for Tsvangirai.

Mugabe may therefore surprise everybody with a pre-emptive move. Would it mean a ZANU-PF victory or the lunatic's Battle of waterloo?

I would like to hear from AK47, Phiri and likes on this issue if ever they claim a sympathetic ear in Mugabe's close circle !

Thanks Prem - my view is that IF MDC get Home Affairs (with the ZRP still under that Ministry) and Information (with the ZBC and Zimpapers under that Ministry) plus obviously Finance (which it now seems they will get); then Zanu-pf will avoid any election for as long as possible in the hope that (a) peoples' memories are short enough and (b) MDC fail to deliver on the economy. If Zanu-pf do not control the police and the media and they do not give Morgan Tsvangirai enough rope to hang himself, then they will get get slaughtered in an early election.

My actual expectation is that even if this abomination of an agreement get beyond the stage of agreeing Ministries, Mugabe will still attempt to govern by Presidential decree and MDC ministers will find themselves hard pressed to control their bureaucrats who will rapidily become the meat in the sandwhich.

General elections in five years time for ZANUpf. Time will generate a level playing field as there wont be hungry and economically frustrated Zimbabweans crying out for a chance to live a normal life. It will be interesting to see how the MDC would fair when they wont be in a position to first make their people starve and suffer OR will they resort to threats to resuscitate so called 'targeted sanctions' unless they get voted in. Five years is a long time. That will give me time to launch my own personally led Political Party, the DDD....Direct District Democrats. Ror l am a democrat. And you Prem can be my vice President. Reasonable? ... heh!

The only way Zimbabwe will quickly rise from the ashes is if, either the devil quietly takes Mugabe's soul while he sleeps, or Mr Tsvangirai holds tight until he gets all the key ministries required for survival. There are genuinely many nations that will spring up to Mr Tsvangirai's calls for help and after that whilst these nations are on a wait and see mode, 1. political activists abroad must return home without hindrance. 2. Exiles must return home but Mugabe must not have the immigration or whatever ministry will be dealing with their return or he will kill the lot of them. Also those Malawians and Zambians who had lived in Zimbabwe for many years that were sent packing when the white farmers were forced off the land, their return should be considered. 3. By controlling finance, MDC must determine the budget for the army and central intelligence which must be removed from Mugabe's clutches. 4. Mugabe's free army of militia thugs must be done away with and the bloody lot sent to school. 5. Journalists must no longer be harassed and the stupid Herald burned down. 6. Unproductive farms must be given to qualified management and productive land lying idle that was given to the fat Zanu-pf morons handed over to some experts who will work with the citizens and get planting going. 7.Gideon Gono must go and an outside team of consultants and independent auditors must be initially employed. Perhaps when something like this is done initially then those nations waiting in the wings will feel convinced of Zimbabwe's strides to recovery.

l knew it!! l knew that l would agree with you 100%. Now you are showing us the serious side of you,sir. Give us more of the same!!

Akapfunde, how on earth is Mr Tsvangirai going to try to shake off even the dust from Zimbabwe if people like you continue giving Mugabe the mandate to hold onto what is required for Mr Tsvangirai and MDC to take that first step towards progress? Mr Tsvangirai is even being denied a new passport with the excuse that there is no paper when in fact those who applied for passports AFTER Mr Tsvangirai have been issued. What the hell nonsense is that? Mugabe is rotten through and through and has no intention of seeing Zimbabwe prosper and until you his staunch supporters realize it, no strides will be taken and we will continue posting our views in this media until we are blue in the face. The fate of Zimbabwe lies in your hands with positive action and not in words.

Why..Oh ..Why give land to Zambians and Malawians? Are you proposing that Zambia and Malawi should allocate land to Zimbabweans? Tell that to the SouthAfricans!!!! Actually the next thing is to grab all the land occupied by Zambians and Malawians through out Zimbabwe as well as houses in townships like Amaveni, Tshabalala, Kambuzuma, etc etc. We need the places and houses for our own people. South Africa has taught us a good lesson. The psyche of the Zimbabwean is no longer stupid and accommodating to foreigners. Who are Zambians and Malawians? A definition is necessary....as there are those NOT ONLY born and bred in Gt Zim but who think and act in the interests of Zimbabwe and their psyche is ready to die for Zim ...these are Zimbabweans. l have many relations like that. But l also have relatives and friends who are fifth generation in Gt Zim but still behave and carry themselves with a "kwathu kuMalawi" attitude and wont let go .... these are down and out Malawians and should be denied all benefits of citizenship. Its their choice ...they prefer to be Malawians even though they live off the Zimbabwean soil. They wont pass the Cricket Test .. which side do they support when Gt Zim plays any of those two countries. But there are many true Zimbabweans with Malawian or Zambian blood. Thousands went to fight for the country ...they made the highest sacrifice for the country and many are still doing so. These are Zimbabweans. they can hold any post in the land. Not the fifth column type ...they should be sent back.

The Zambians and Malawians I am talking about are those who had worked in the farms and were sent packing when the white farmers were sent off the land. Some of these people had been in Zimbabwe since the 1960s and I imagine they have children born in Zimbabwe which they also call home.

By Afriacn definition, that does not make them Zimbabweans. These people can do anything to serve and save their muzungu....history shows that. Let them all go back. We need the land for our own people. The world approved of the so called Xenophobia in RSA ... we need to chuck out them foreigners too.

Akapfunde, life is not always about tit-for-tat especially when it involves separation of parents and their children or peoples' citizenship. Just because the South Africans saw it fit to be brutal and unwelcoming to Zimbabweans, does it mean that Zimbabwe has to emulate their inhumanity? You say "These people can do anything to serve and save their muzungu". Guess what. It is partly their hard work at these farms that afforded you sadza three times a day if you so wished. Where are you today? No food no nothing. Are YOU Akapfunde, not doing everything to serve and save YOUR bwana, Mugabe, as well? A killer at that?

Aka, people of Malawian descent born in Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean by birth and that is international law! President Mugabe's grandparents were from Malawi...just for your information. Zimbabwean citizenship is by descend of at least one parent from Zimbabwe, and now those born in Zimbabwe as well.Mugabe has tried hard to confuse citizenship in Zimbabwe and that really robes Zimbabwe of resources. This is a way to control the population and power in the country.

People of Malawian descend, who are Zimbabweans have served the country very well, especially in farming. Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa are doing the same for South Africa. Why would South Africa deny the little ones South African Citizenship!

Both the Shona and Ndebele laborers have been pathetic at farming in their own country. Weekend farmers, while an Engineer in the city or surburb is a bad way of farming. We are now learning that.

Never meant all!!! l defined the Malawians, South Africans, Tswanas, and others who are not Zimbabweans. Check my definition above. l pointed out that l do have lots of people in my own family with Nguni and Malawian/Zambian blood.....those who question their own status, they should be encouraged to Gooooo. We need the land and space.

Akapfunde, you are sadly all for dividing people into compartments of race and tribes. If as you say, your family is made up of people from all races and tribes, do you then separate and seat them by tribe and ethnicity at your family table? Of course not(or maybe you do) A country cannot be run on racial or tribal lines or we would find ourselves right back to where we started with segregation, discrimination and all that rotten stuff. We need to infuse our blood with one another for harmony, tolerance and peace.