SW Radio Africa (London)
Violet Gonda
18 August 2008
Outspoken civil leader Dr Lovemore Madhuku has called on MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai to pull out of the controversial interparty negotiations, saying it is obvious that Robert Mugabe will not give him the responsibility to be the executive leader.
Madhuku was speaking a day after the Zimbabwean political rivals failed to strike a deal at the SADC summit in Johannesburg at the weekend. The chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly said politicians are taking Zimbabweans for granted and excluding everyone in these talks, and yet they have failed to deliver results.
"They promised to come to some agreement in two weeks and they have not done that. They have not even told people what the reasons are. This is really a display of politicians, collectively - both ZANU PF and MDC - being extremely arrogant," Madhuku said.
The constitutional law expert believes Tsvangirai should be going back to the people to tell them that talks have failed and re-organise a united front with civic, student, churches and labour groups. Madhuku added: "If he wants to run the country he must get back to what has always been the way forward. He must put pressure here and build a force here that pushes Mugabe out. So he should pull out of the talks."
Morgan Tsvangirai walked out of talks with Robert Mugabe last Tuesday because of Mugabe's unwillingness to cede any real power. The political rivals were then invited to the SADC summit, but that meeting was also unsuccessful in breaking the impasse. Madhuku said Mugabe is not the sort of person who will compromise and SADC is not a body that will force him to.
Meanwhile the SADC organ on politics, defence and security said: "While negotiations are continuing, it may be necessary to convene parliament to give effect to the will of the people as expressed in the parliamentary elections held on 29 March 2008." This statement has been viewed by the MDC as an attempt by the regional body to pressure the MDC into signing a deal, as convening parliament without consensus would be breaching the Memorandum of Understanding by the parties.
Madhuku added that if implemented, this would be a scenario that would work in Mugabe's favour. He said collectively ZANU PF has more seats in Senate and Parliament, including the appointed chiefs. "Remember that the smaller component of the MDC will never vote Tsvangirai in a closed session. I think they have always been against Tsvangirai," he added
Madhuku warned that if the MDC does not go back to its constituency and re-organise people, Mugabe will reconvene parliament and constitute cabinet with no accountability.
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