On the brink

Why the talks on a government of national unity are failing

The Zimbabwe power-sharing deal between Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is hanging by a thread today, Wednesday, with the MDC for the first time considering pulling out of the negotiations altogether.

The stumbling block continues to be the allocation of the various Ministries between the parties. I'm told that so far 27 have been successfully allocated, but four key ministries remain undecided. They are Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Local Government.

Mugabe's Zanu-PF want Finance and Home Affairs, leaving the less pivotal Foreign Affairs and Local Government to the MDC. The MDC want the complete opposite arrangement. Result - deadlock.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai met with his advisers today, and it was agreed that if
Mugabe did not soften his stance the MDC would opt out of any further discussion.

Mugabe, now 84, is said to have been under increased pressure this week from his military commanders. They met with the President on Monday, when they are believed to have threatened a coup if they were told to work under the direction of the MDC and Morgan Tsvangirai.

Many expect the familiar figure of Thabo Mbeki, ex-President of South Africa and the mediator of the original talks, to appear at Harare Airport tomorrow (Thursday). The MDC's Tendai Biti confirmed that his party has asked Mbeki to intervene once again, and sources inside the South African government confirmed that he is on his way.

Mbeki will be armed with the backing of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union. But his influence may have been weakened by his recent resignation as South Africa's President.

Don't expect miracles.

Comments

[jon philip churu]

Mugabe and tsvangirai are like oil and water. they cant contain each other.

[jon philip churu]

Mugabe and tsvangirai are like oil and water. they cant contain each other.