The country's political impasse will rumble on deep into the New Year as Robert Mugabe has taken a month's leave. The ZANU PF leader, who last week threatened to form a unity government with or without the MDC, is expected to travel to Malaysia later this week.

The state media quoted Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba as saying the vacation was more of a retreat than annual leave.

'He (Mugabe) is very busy reflecting on the new structures that are needed to deal with the economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, as well as working on structures of an inclusive government which must come soon,' Charamba is quoted as saying.

But analysts were seething at the idea of Mugabe leaving the country in the middle of a raging cholera epidemic that has claimed more than 1700 lives, a destroyed economy that has forced millions of Zimbabweans to flee the country, a massive humanitarian crisis and a political power vacuum that has left the country without an effective government for nearly a year.

It is not known if stalled power-sharing negotiations between the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC over cabinet posts will continue, but it seems likely that further discussions about the formation of a unity government will have to wait for Mugabe's return.

Political analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga said while Mugabe had a right to take time off from work, it was insensitive of him to do so when the country was burning.

'It shows he doesn't care about the ordinary people in the country. Elsewhere leaders would suspend going on holiday to deal with any pressing issues in their countries. Obviously Mugabe is extravagant and belligerent and not the type of person who feels for others,' Mhlanga said.

Political commentator Lovemore Madhuku also criticised Mugabe for taking a holiday from the crisis-hit country. 'It shows that he is not concerned about the suffering people. One can only afford to go on leave if one has done something tangible. Honestly, Mugabe has done nothing that deserves a rest.' He added; 'Cholera is killing people and the economy is bleeding and someone decides to abandon the ship and rest. For what?"

Zimbabwe Times columnist Tendai Dumbutshena said Mugabe was going on a month-long holiday, leaving the country on a downward spiral without a government.

'After the signing of the agreement Mugabe went to New York to grandstand at the annual UN General Assembly meeting. There was extremely urgent business to be attended to at home. He then visited Qatar at a time when the cholera outbreak was claiming the lives of hundreds of Zimbabweans leaving it to foreign agencies to solve the problem and heal the sick.'

Analysts have been watching Mugabe's movements with interest as there has been a general feeling that whether he left the country for a holiday or not, would indicate how confident he is feeling about his power base. The mere fact that he is leaving at a time of serious crisis, indicates that he is feeling very confident indeed.