Harare — ZIMBABWE's rival political parties adjourned delicate power-sharing negotiations last night amid fears that the talks had hit a last-minute snag which might lead to a collapse of the dialogue.
Sources close to the talks said the "deal-breaker" had been a proposal by opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he be made prime minister with executive powers while incumbent President Robert Mugabe be reduced to ceremonial head.
President Thabo Mbeki, who is chairing the talks, held a private meeting with Tsvangirai after he tabled the proposal — which was the original stance of the MDC.
Last night a Zanu (PF) official said Tsvangirai wanted a transfer of power to him and not a deal to share power. Tsvangirai wanted a transitional government for two and a half years instead of a five-year power-sharing arrangement.
Tsvangirai also wanted a transitional constitution, the official said.
After a marathon session that ended in the early hours of yesterday morning, substantial progress was made with the parties agreeing to sharing power.
Mugabe would have remained president, with two deputies, and Tsvangirai would have become prime minister with two deputies.
The main sticking point had been who would have chaired the cabinet. But after Tsvangirai's proposal last night, the talks stalled.
Tsvangirai looked frustrated when he left the Rainbow Towers hotel last night and said only that talks would continue today. In contrast, Mugabe said sticking points "will be overcome".
Earlier in the day, Mugabe said in a Heroes' Day address that the parties would have to find solutions to the country's problems despite their vicious fights during elections.
He said the opposition must "stop working with western powers" because that undermined the talks.
A senior Zanu (PF) official last night blamed the stalemate on Tsvangirai, whom he accused of "moving goalposts" after consulting his allies during the day.
US and British diplomats have confirmed to Business Day that their advice to Tsvangirai has been to not sign the draft agreement from the early hours of yesterday and to negotiate for more power. Their governments — which are preparing to provide aid to a new dispensation — would not bankroll any deal in which Mugabe retained control, they said. The Zanu (PF) official said Tsvangirai demanded more executive powers, including the authority to appoint and chair the cabinet.
It is understood that Tsvangirai no longer agreed with the initial proposition that would have had Mugabe appoint him to the post of prime minister. Tsvangirai wanted to be elected by a joint sitting of Parliament to ensure he did not owe his mandate to Mugabe.
Cabinet posts are expected to be shared between the parties. Zanu (PF) desperately wants to retain the ministries of defence and state security, while the MDC wants finance, home affairs and foreign affairs, among others.
A breakdown of the talks would spell further disaster for the country, which is in economic meltdown. Inflation is the highest in the world and there are shortages of basic commodities, including food, hard currency, fuel, electricity, medicines, chemicals and spares — and even water. With Reuters
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How damn right is Tsvangirai to expect a joint session of both Houses to proclaim him PM with executive power!
Mbeki should stop being naive that Tsvangirai would have accepted to become non-executive PM nominated by lunatic God-annoited Mugabe.
The talks put the cart before the horse when the "break or make" item of the agenda, that is who wields executive power, was placed at the end. It would have been honest and plain diplomatically to let Mugabe and thugs know from the very beginning that their illegitimacy did not warrant any room for leniency.
The talks ought to have been about terms of a capitulation by Mugabe and thugs. Hats off to the MDCs for having accepted to discuss about power sharing in the higher interest of Zimbabweans. The higher interest of Zimbabweans also call for public accountability, as being hammerd by the country's labour federation, the ZCTU.
Tsvangirai is already under fire from his supporters for having expressed accommodating lunatic Mugabe as a ceremonial President. There should be enough of bartering now.
In case of a refusal by Mugabe to transfer executive power, SADC countries will be forced soon to intervene in Zimbabwe with military actions to chase the murderer and his thugs who, by clinging to illegitimate power, are continuing to make Zimbabweans bleed further.
I anticipate that Mugabe thugs and brainwashed supporters will lash out at me for my harsh approach! What counts for me is that I am amplifying the deep wish of the majority of Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe does not need half-baked solutions!
TSANGIRAI IS RIGHT ,It's unfair you Zanu PF are thugs they are actually forcing OPosition to do what they Zanu want ,Mutambara is a politica prostitute,I hope they won't a bed with Mugabe.Think of the people who died during election .What is going on ?Zanu PF you will pay the price now we here of bombs that were not there before because of your mismanagement give the power to Tsangirai he is a great leader who suffer with Zimbabwe people think of your arrests your killings you Zanu PF.
Given the fact that there is much evidence a lot of "ghostvoters" voted for Mugabe at the first poll in march, there should not have been a run off in the first place and as a consequence there should not be any talks about "powersharing".Mugabe should go and after that new free elections under supervision of the UN could make clear what everybody knows, simply that the people of Zimbabwe want a new start. The way this country is organized is simply a Nazi style regime. Stormtroopers beating their opponents, the Herald in the role of "Völkische Beobachter" etc.Better call the country Nazimbabwe now. Many times I read here that zimbabwens can solve their own problems without help from outside.Why did millions flee to the outside nazimbabweworld than? It's so predictable what is happening now. Failure Mugabe wants to hold power whatever the costs and at the end the MDC gets the blame for blocking the deal.Better MDC leaves talks asap.The best option is a military intervention by the west, arrest Mugabe and his clan, hold free elections after the liberation of Zimbabwe and give the people of Zimbabwe a future.Problems about landissues could be solved in a decent way.And this has nothing to do with colonialsm or whatsoever.The west can not just watch how millions of zimbabweans have a miserable live for decades now.Mbeki is not the right person to mediate.I remember what this man said about HIV.How stupid one can be.The longer he keeps dealing with Mugabe, the more blood on his hands he gets.Do not sign any deal Morgan.You were simpy the winner.
My muzungu ... why do keep hacking on to yesterday? The talks are about tomorrow and the future. The recent elections are gone gone. The Unity GVT is for Zimbabwe's future. Believe it or not, if Tsvangiand his MDc abandon the talks they wont continue to fly in and out of Zimbabwe as they have been doing. It is high time they are made to live in exile, wherever. Measures should be taken to declare their party a TREASONOUS activites. The Mdc seem to be interested in serving the intersts of COLONIALS. Well, Good luck to them But they cannot have their cake and eat it. Mutambara can form a Gvt of Unity with ZANU, ZAPU and others.Kuraiwo wana mukoma woye. We do not need UK and USA money. Our young people are capable of producing wanders for the economy
you must be in denial if you think with zanu in chair anything good can come of anything they try,there must be a new and like you said younger and more for the country and their people person and government than whats happening now.
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