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Zimbabwe: Rivals Clear Decks for Unity Talks

Dumisani Muleya

24 July 2008

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Johannesburg — ZIMBABWE's main political parties - which begin power-sharing talks in Pretoria today - are expected to reach a final settlement promptly as they have already agreed on a wide range of issues on the agenda.

This explains the short and seemingly unrealistic two-week deadline they gave themselves after their leaders signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Harare on Monday which set the parameters for substantive negotiations.

People familiar with the talks say the biggest outstanding issue and sticking point is the type and structure of a new government.

The MOU signed by Zanu (PF) and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) commits them 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; a new constitution; restoration of economic stability and growth; sanctions; and the land question.

Sources close to the talks said most of the issues on the agenda - including a new constitution - had already been agreed to.

A quick deal is expected because the final agreement would be based on a document approved, but not signed, by the parties in January.

Zanu (PF) and the MDC, which had negotiated as one party, had reached an agreement in January after eight months of talks, but failed to sign it due to clashes over the date of elections and the mechanics of implementing the agreement.

Sources from both sides said the parties were likely to base their talks on the January deal and then focus on the key items on the current agenda: the framework for a new government, implementation mechanisms and global political agreement.

"Almost all the issues which will be discussed in the next two weeks in Pretoria starting were on last year's agenda for talks. The negotiators took that agenda and the January agreement and formulated the MOU and the new agenda," a source said.

" They are agreed on most of the issues, except mainly the framework for a new government. The deal is basically done, but what remains are a few issues of detail, implementation and logistics."

President Robert Mugabe yesterday held a Zanu (PF) politburo meeting to discuss the talks and prospects of a government of national unity with the MDC. He has not appointed a new cabinet or sworn in a new parliament because of the talks. The combined opposition has a majority of seats in parliament after elections in March and Mugabe won a runoff presidential election as sole candidate in June.

Insiders said the politburo meeting was to prepare Mugabe's party for a new dispensation which might be resisted by his divided and faction-ridden organisation. Previous agreements with the MDC were rejected by Zanu (PF) hardliners.

It is understood Mugabe would prefer to remain as executive president, while MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai becomes prime minister. However, Tsvangirai has said that he would want to be prime minister with Mugabe as nonexecutive president.

Sources said President Thabo Mbeki wants a settlement to the impasse by next month when he takes over as Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairman. Mbeki was appointed mediator by the SADC last year. Mbeki has reportedly lobbied China to block United Nations sanctions on Harare, while leaning on Mugabe to accept a deal.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga - understood to be close to Tsvangirai - said in London yesterday after meeting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that Mugabe might need a "peaceful, decent exit" to resolve the country's political crisis. Odinga - who heads a Kenyan unity government - said Mugabe could remain during a transitional arrangement.

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