Peace deal outlined for Zimbabwe

South African leaders tonight urged negotiators to build on the basis for a power-sharing agreement to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

South African leaders tonight urged negotiators to build on the basis for a power-sharing agreement to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai portrayed that assessment – reached after three days of discussions among Southern African Development Community leaders - as an endorsement of further talks.

But it also could be read as pressure to approve a deal despite signs that his party and that of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s party have deep reservations.

The Southern African Development Community’s key committee on security and politics said it had reviewed a report on more than a year of SADC-sponsored mediation.

In recent weeks, the negotiations had focused on trying to bring Mugabe and Tsvangirai into a unity government. Both appear at odds over who would wield the most power in such a government.

Agreements on less contentious issues, though, “are a good basis for a global agreement,” SADC said in a statement.

The main regional bloc encouraged Zimbabwean rivals “to sign any outstanding agreements as a matter of urgency to restore political stability in Zimbabwe”.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been leading SADC mediation efforts, said Zimbabwe’s neighbours were driven to help by “fundamental” concern about Zimbabwe’s economic collapse.

Zimbabwe’s inflation is the highest in the world, leaving people unable to afford food and other basics in what had once been the region’s breadbasket. Poor rains have affected the recent harvest.

Earlier this year, the UN estimated the number of Zimbabweans suffering from food insecurity will reach more than five million between January and March.

But since June, Mugabe’s government has banned aid agencies from working in the field, accusing them of supporting the opposition.

“The political conditions must be created ... so that this humanitarian, socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe is addressed as a matter of urgency by an inclusive government,” Mbeki said.

“We need this inclusive government ... to drive the process of addressing those challenges.”

Tendai Biti, the opposition’s chief negotiator, also cited the growing humanitarian crisis.

“It is critical that we conclude (negotiations) as a matter of urgency, because people are suffering,” Biti said after Mbeki announced the summit’s conclusions.

Attempts to reach Mugabe’s spokesman, George Charamba, were not immediately successful.

Tsvangirai came first in a field of four in a first round of presidential voting in March, but did not win by the margin necessary to avoid a runoff against second-place finisher Mugabe.

Tsvangirai withdrew from the June 27 run off because of attacks on his supporters blamed on Mugabe’s party militants and security forces.

Mugabe held the run off and was declared the overwhelming winner, though the exercise was widely denounced.

In a speech on Friday to SADC leaders, Tsvangirai said his Movement for Democratic Change had proposed to Mugabe’s ZANU-PF that Tsvangirai take a powerful prime minister’s role in any unity government.

Tsvangirai said he would concede the presidency – and the role of military commander in chief – to Mugabe.

That would mean a major curbing of powers Mugabe has wielded for nearly three decades, since independence from Britain in 1980.

But it also would leave Mugabe, accused of deploying soldiers and police against political dissidents, at least nominally in charge of the army.

Under Tsvangirai’s proposal, the president would only be able to exercise military power on the advice of the prime minister.

Zimbabwean military leaders have said they would refuse to recognise Tsvangirai’s authority.

Today neither Mbeki nor Biti would discuss what was holding up a final agreement. Biti would only characterise the problem as “issues of principle”.

But he added: “One has no business in negotiating if you are not prepared to compromise.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Syria Israel Attack Israeli strikes on Syria kill dozens, security sources say
Five dead and more than 100 in hospital in Japanese health supplements scare Five dead and more than 100 in hospital in Japanese health supplements scare
TOPSHOT-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT Court orders Israel to halt Gaza famine; Hamas says ceasefire needed
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited