Dumisani Muleya
14 August 2008
Johannesburg — ZIMBABWE's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai walked out of talks with President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday after Mugabe was unable to guarantee in writing that Tsvangirai would be head of government in a power-sharing deal, it emerged yesterday.
Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said yesterday he remained committed to the talks and hoped the sticking points would be resolved soon.
On Tuesday evening he refused to sign a draft power-sharing agreement at a meeting chaired by President Thabo Mbeki.
Informed sources said he refused to sign a document titled Functions and Powers of the Prime Minister, the last part of a consolidated draft agreement. The sources said the draft made Tsvangirai a prime minister, a de facto but not de jure, head of government. A new constitutional framework would have given him the powers of a head of government, but that title was omitted from the draft.
It is understood that Tsvangirai insisted on insertion of a clause stipulating him as head of government, but Mugabe refused, saying it would render him a merely ceremonial president. Talks then collapsed.
Yesterday, Arthur Mutambara, leader of the smaller, breakaway faction of the MDC, confirmed that Tsvangirai had initially agreed to sign the document but changed his mind several times. "Tsvangirai has requested time to reflect and consult. Three times he agreed to this one aspect and three times he changed his mind."
Tsvangirai yesterday said he remained committed to the talks because he wanted a peaceful settlement.
"Our objective is simple -- a peaceful resolution to the crisis that respects the will of the people. The MDC remains committed to participating in any meaningful and genuine dialogue that urgently moves this process forward," he said, adding that he wanted a solution that recognised the results of the March 29 election. His party won 100 seats in parliament, Zanu (PF) 99 and Mutambara's faction 10. A majority of 106 is needed to form a government. Mutambara yesterday denied that he had signed a deal with Mugabe, but said any party was entitled to enter into bilateral discussions should the talks fail.
MDC spokesman Tapiwa Mashakada said to resolve the talks impasse would require a "proper distribution and balance of power" to ensure political stability.
Mbeki has said the talks have not collapsed, echoing remarks by all the negotiators. "We have dealt with all the elements on which President Mugabe and Mutambara agree, but there is disagreement on one element over which Morgan Tsvangirai had asked for time to reflect," Mbeki told reporters. "We have adjourned to give Tsvangirai more time to consider these matters."
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Does this actually come as a surprise to anyone? i could see this happening as soon as there was any talk of a government of national unity. Im glad Morgan walked out because he would have been getting nowhere with that Murdering Thug Mugabe!
Mugabe needs to realize that he has totally failed the people of Zimbabwe, and hang up his "very old boots". We cannot comment on the economy anymore because that has hit rock bottom, only to be buried with the President when the Lord calls him. He is certainly not thinking of the new generation, whose chances he ruined through poor standards of education, as he saw the educated to be a threat to his decade of one party state rule.
Mugabe needs to hand over the keys to the able minded and bodied men, who can reconcile the disaster that… [Read Full Text]
I begin to doubt the intelligency of the so called professors in politics. Just think of Jonathan Moyo, Welsman and Arthur. Jumping into the sinking ship!!
May, Prem and Negotiator, yes Negotiator many jumped in a sinking ship because their judgement was clouded and they were mistaken. Some still think that way and live in denial. All of you have spoken your mind and I can only support you...
Let us stand united against mockery, rape and murder of democracy and hold respect the dignity of the people of Zimbabwe. Its a matter of time as the rope is tightening around the neck of ZANU-PF and their murderous cronies with Mugabe as the head honcho. Mugabe is stalling the talks and dragging things on because he… [Read Full Text]
Dutch newsagencies report that the passport from Tsvangerai and two other MDC-T officials were confiscated at Harare airport when they wanted to travel to the SADC summit in South Africa.
Also on the website from BBCworldnews I read passports are taken from MDC and a full story behind it.Strange Allafrica does not come up with this news
What a rotten banana republic that lunatic & murderous Mugabe has turned Zimbabwe into? Weep, weep, sons & daughters of Zimbabwe; these are the desperate acts of a lunatic in his final days!
Mbeki had to intervene for Tsvangirai to be returned his passport! What a fickle Mbeki who continues to consider monster Mugabe as his comrade in arms?
Unless Mbeki can get the cheek to show the lunatic the door, he will also be swept into the dusbin of history for his apparent collusion with the lunatic of a banana republic!
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How much of a crook Mbeki is turning out to be as an impartial negotiator?
Why did he not continue exercising control over the ANC after he was voted out as ANC President? Why then does he condone lunatic Mugabe continuing as the illegitimate President after the shal election run-off?
By manoeuvring for Mugabe to cling to executive power, Mbeki is disregarding the will of the majority of Zimbabweans. And that is very dangerous for the future of Africa.
Mbeki must disqualify himself. Let murderer Mugabe and cronies continue moving into the jaws of the ICC. In the meantime, neighbouring… [Read Full Text]