BuaNews (Tshwane)
Luyanda Makapela
29 August 2008
Pretoria — Negotiations between Zimbabwe's rival political parties, the Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change, have resumed in South Africa.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad the Southern African Development Community (SADC) -mandated facilitating team is in the process of facilitating talks between the two parties.
The two parties are negotiating a power-sharing deal to find a lasting solution to the current situation in Zimbabwe.
During the International Relations, Peace and Security Cluster briefing at the Union Buildings on Friday, Mr Pahad said: "We hope that today's meeting will find reachable solution in Zimbabwe as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in that country."
Mr Pahad said South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) team were working tirelessly to try and bring a humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.
The World Food Organisation (WFO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have reported that more than five million people will suffer food insecurity for the next nine months, one million more that the same time last year.
Mr Pahad said as the humanitarian crisis persisted in Zimbabwe, South Africa would do what it can to aid the country.
The announcement follows Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's official opening of Zimbabwe's Parliament on Monday with the swearing in of the new Speaker, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s Lovemore Moyo.
SADC noted that while negotiations were continuing, it was necessary for Zimbabwe to convene Parliament to give effect to the will and people of Zimbabwe as expressed in the Parliamentary elections on 29 March 2008.
Early August, SADC leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finding a lasting solution to the Zimbabwe negotiations aimed at establishing a government of national unity.
Addressing reporters after the 28th Ordinary SADC Summit in Sandton President Thabo Mbeki, said some agreements have been made in the negotiations, but discussions were still continuing due to certain issues still outstanding.
Mr Mbeki, who is the chief mediator in facilitating talks in Zimbabwe said the SADC member states wanted the discussions to be concluded soon.
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