---

---

Zimbabwe: New Dawn in Country as Mugabe Accepts Deal

Dumisani Muleya

22 July 2008

---

Harare — ZIMBABWE’s rival political factions will today start substantive talks on a power-sharing deal, which in effect marks the beginning of the end of President Robert Mugabe’s iron-fisted 28-year grip on power.

After months of acrimony, two elections and much violence, Mugabe and the two factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that commits them to “intense” dialogue for the next two weeks.

The deal was facilitated and witnessed by President Thabo Mbeki and was the first meeting between Mugabe and Tsvangirai in almost a decade.

The MoU commits the three sides to dedicate themselves to put an end to “polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance” and says they are “determined to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hate, patronage, corruption and (one) founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality”.

The agenda for the next two weeks includes talks on the objectives and priorities of a new government, restoration of economic stability and growth, sanctions, and the land question.

A new constitution, promotion of equality, national healing and cohesion, and unity and free political activity will also be discussed.

Other matters include external interference, discussions on the rule of law, security of persons and the prevention of violence.

Dialogue — which started on July 10 — is expected to be completed in two weeks and will set the basis for an “inclusive government”.

Mugabe, whose recent purported electoral victory in a presidential runoff election was rejected by world leaders, looked glum at the conference, while Tsvangirai and the other signatories appeared upbeat.

A subdued Mugabe said after the signing ceremony the agreement would help “to chart a new way to political interaction”.

Tsvangirai described it as “a very historic occasion".

He urged the other leaders to exercise tolerance, compromise and have the best interests of Zimbabwe at heart. “There, you will not find me wanting," he said.

Mutambara said the deal had set up a “cross-party generational agenda" to haul the country from economic ruin and political intolerance.

Mbeki said the agreement committed the parties to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible. “All parties recognise the urgency," he said.

All three leaders — who had a private meeting chaired by Mbeki before the signing — publicly committed themselves to the talks, saying “failure is not an option”.

The MoU says the talks will proceed in terms of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) resolutions.

Independent MP Jonathan Moyo, who tried facilitating talks between Zanu (PF) and the MDC while he was Mugabe’s spokesman , said it was “the brightest day for Zimbabwe since the crisis started almost 10 years ago”. “There is now light at the end of the tunnel.... The only remaining threat to the talks is unwarranted and miscalculated external pressure from forces that are out of synch with what is going on,” he said.

Eldred Masunungure, professor of politics at the University of Zimbabwe, said the next stage of negotiations would be “very tough and bruising”.

Yesterday’s signing was made possible by the establishment of a “reference group” including AU Commission chairman Jean Ping, the United Nations’ Zimbabwe envoy Haile Menkerios, and SADC emissary George Chikoti.

Read comments. Write your own.

---