Kitsepile Nyathi
22 August 2008
Harare — President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF has resolved not to give in to the opposition's demands for executive powers in any power sharing arrangement.
The move is yet another sign that talks to resolve Zimbabwe's political crisis might have collapsed.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday described Zanu PF's plans to convene Parliament next Tuesday as a clear "repudation" of the framework for the inter party dialogue aimed at forging a government of national unity.
Conditions for talks
The parties had agreed in a memorandum of understanding setting the conditions and time frame for the talks to suspend the convening of Parliament until a deal was reached.
But a meeting of Zanu PF's top decision making body, the Politburo, late on Thursday reportedly endorsed Mugabe's decision to convene Parliament and urged the embattled leader not to give in to MDC's demands.
The decision was immediately backed by the militant former liberation war fighters who were instrumental in Mugabe's bloody re-election campaign that left more than 100 MDC supporters dead and thousands displaced.
"We resolved that no further executive powers will be given to Tsvangirai," a member of the communist-style politburo was quoted as having said by an online publication. "Members were adamant that what he has been offered is enough and the issue of President Mugabe maintaining his present executive powers is non-negotiable."
Tsvangirai has maintained that he would not sign any deal that does not guarantee him executive powers insisting that a "bad deal is as good as no deal."
Zanu PF deputy secretary Ephraim Masawi said the ruling party's Central Committee would meet tomorrow to endorse Mugabe's plans to convene Parliament and to form a new government that might exclude Tsvangirai.
Assemble Parliament
He said the Politburo welcomed the support the recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit gave to the talks and the call for Zimbabwe to assemble Parliament, which has been in limbo since the March elections.
Jabulani Sibanda, the chairman of the war veterans said they wanted Mugabe to proceed with the formation of a new government without delay.
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Your preferred person is not people. Zimbabwe needs progress in the economic front NOW! Let all faculties of state and gvt function to alleviate more suffering. An individual coming to gvt is not God who will bring manna for the people unless he only opens the keys that he/she locked to make people suffer. While personal interests must be entertained independently of a working gvt let us address monetary issues. Let any gvt come into being and declare the lifting of illegal sanctions through the able SADC body.
If anyone dreams that politicians come into being to cede power to… [Read Full Text]
Poor onesoulzim1, where will your rotten mind take you to? Thanks God, a majority of Zimbabweans do not recognize the lunatic logic you hold.
"Poor onesoulzim1, where will your rotten mind take you to? Thanks God, a majority of Zimbabweans do not recognize the lunatic logic you hold."
Prem, I'm sure that the a far greater majority of Zimbabweans agree with Onesoulzim1 views than they do with your brand of one-note lunacy.
If they do agree with him and yourself then Zimbabwe is doomed to die forever.With the mindset of both of you Zimbabwe will never in a million lifetimes recover. Your mindset is the problem with Zimbabwe not the solution.
Amen Amen Amen my son. Pamberi newe mupwere!!!
Everytime I read your comments , the word 'NUMBSKULL" comes to mind !
SORRY my friend your emotional posturing does not help. Cool down! There is nothing to be achieved by shouting insults and slogans ... believe it or not, it wont get us together anywhere. Besides sending RMG and his team to be tried by muzungu in the Hague, what is your vision of Gt Zim's future??? After some years in English jails, they would come back to Zimbabwe and then whats next on your agenda assuming that you would be still angry and frustrated. No sir, being vengeful is not the solution to our problem ... namely that the main source… [Read Full Text]
I agree with you "power to the people" although this is a slogan that has become merely a dream on the African continent. it seems to me that it is abominable for an incumbent president to loose an election. If not the case, how do you explain the skirmishes that took place in Kenya, Uganda in the 2006 presidential elections, and lately our motherland Zimbabwe? Why even elections? Do they make sense anymore? Hundreds of people have fled their beloved motherland because they exercised their right to vote. They have become refugees because they exercised their right to vote… [Read Full Text]
Dear brothers and sisters:We believe here in America that Tsvangirai is holding up progress because he's getting his signals from that Sanction Group.USA/BRIT.Jabulani Sibanda, you're right to succeed.Let Tsvangirai and that Monster Quartet(Chaney,Bush,Blair, and Brown worry about Georgia and Russia.God bless Africa's 53 States.(UNITE)!!!!!!!.... Oweij Liebo,Tarboro,North Carolina U.S.A.
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The idiots who are cheering the buther, mugabi, on don't give a damn if Zimbabweans live or die, because the're laughing all the way to the bank. They're under estimating the power of the people. Eventually, they'll wake up and administer justice to their butchers.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!