Hopewell Radebe and Dumisani Muleya
10 November 2008
Johannesburg — IN SPITE of SA saying it would take a tough line in a weekend summit to salvage Zimbabwe's power-sharing negotiations, the parties failed to put aside their differences at heated talks in Sandton last night.
President Kgalema Motlanthe opened yesterday's proceedings expressing his "disappointment" at the lack of progress, yet the parties still failed to make any breakthroughs on the vexed question of the division of cabinet posts.
SA was hosting the make-or-break summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders in its capacity as chair of SADC.
However, the SADC leaders failed to come up with a solution, except to support a suggestion of having two home affairs ministers to break the deadlock, which the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) rejected.
The outcome of the meeting was bound to determine the fate of the faltering agreement between Zanu (PF) and two opposition MDC factions signed on September 15.
The parties have been fighting over the distribution of ministries and other matters related to the implementation of the deal ever since.
The leaders wanted the parties to agree on ministries and go back home to form a government and address outstanding issues later.
Motlanthe set the ball rolling with a strong opening address, a departure from the usually indirect and mild approach by SADC leaders.
Motlanthe said it was "disappointing" to realise Zimbabweans leaders were still haggling over ministries and other issues two months after the signing of the agreement.
"The historic power-sharing agreement signed on September 15 remains the vehicle to help extricate Zimbabwe from her socioeconomic challenges," he said.
"It is, however, disappointing that it is now two months since the signing of the agreement and the parties have not yet been able to conclude the discussions on the formation of an inclusive government."
Indirectly attacking President Robert Mugabe, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the other smaller MDC faction leader, Arthur Mutambara, Motlanthe said the leaders needed to show "political maturity" to resolve the issue.
"The political leadership in Zimbabwe owe it to the people of Zimbabwe and the region to show political maturity by putting the interest of Zimbabwe first," he said.
"We urge the three parties to build on the achievement made thus far and reach an agreement on the outstanding issues, including the ministry of home affairs."
Apart from ministries, there was still the issue of sharing 10 provincial governors' positions, the appointment of ambassadors and permanent secretaries, the role, function and composition of the national security council, the amendment of the constitution to facilitate the agreement, and the arbitrary changing of the original agreement by Zanu (PF) under Mugabe's orders.
Mugabe is said to have insisted on his position of having two home affairs ministers shared between his Zanu (PF) and the MDC.
But Tsvangirai rejected this, saying he wanted "fair and equitable" allocation of ministries based on "clusters and functions" of the portfolios.
It is said Mugabe shook his head when Tsvangirai was making his presentation, prompting SADC leaders to urge him to show respect to his rival.
Mugabe argued he would not give home affairs to the MDC because the party was allegedly training militias in Botswana to destabilise Zimbabwe.
Several MDC activists were arrested and detained last week in connection with the issue, which the opposition says is a fabrication to divert attention from real issues.
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This is a tragic day for Zimbabwe and for southern Africa.
The facts of the situation are: 1) The Zimbabwean economy has disintegrated over the last eight years under the ZANU-PF kleptocracy, leaving 4 million people-plus on the brink of starvation; 2) the people of Zimbabwe voted for the MDC during the March election; 3) as SADC's own observers acknowledged, the presidential rerun in June was NOT free and fair; 4) thus, Mugabe has in effect staged a violent coup.
To allow Mugabe to be part of a government of national unity is already a huge concession. MDC rightly insists… [Read Full Text]
So these SADC leaders want Tsvangirai to share 'Home Affairs' with Mugabe after Mugabe has gotten 'Defence' and 'Internal Security'? It is clear to all now that SADC supposes that the MDC is a junior partner to ZANU (PF)in the envisaged inclusive government. Howelse can someone think that what we are witnessing is an indeed powersharing of equal partners? I think Tsvangirai is right to reject this arrangement. Tsvangirai should now appeal the matter to AU before taking it to where we all want it to go (the UN). We know that taking the matter to the AU full… [Read Full Text]
maricho at the outset there is nothing called "african magic". magic is an ancient tradition practiced globally.
as for morgan and his mdc team this could have been a gracefully exit for Bob had he been wise enough to read between lines and see beyond the curtain.
Africans we need to know more than what has been protrayed on TV about African Leaders. Here is a picture of what is really behind the noise about Mugabe. Its about anyone who stands up against the West, who think its the right to taken and run Africa and its resources. A direct sign was demonstrated for us, when The UK Foreign Secretary Miliband and his French Counterpart, went into DRC, without following the protocol, as they went to represent EU and their investments. Please read the following and please see what is really behind the scenes. Tsvangirai seems… [Read Full Text]
To hell with illegitimate president Mugabe! SADC ought to remind him sternly that he has not been elected by Zimbos and that unless he settles down on a real 50/50 share in government, new elections under UN supervision should become the order of the day.
In case devil Mugabe continues to confiscate power, concerted action by SADC should aim at dislodging him even if it comes to using armed forces of the neighbouring countries.
Who is devil Mugabe to impose his will on how the 50/50 compromise should be enacted? Why SADC does not defy him since he is not… [Read Full Text]
The only hope for Zimbabwe is for the Police and Army foot soldiers to realize how stupid they are to support Zanu PF
Brother Prem, SADC is useless. We thought that the coming to power of Zuma (in the form of Motlante) was going to reenergise SADC but it seems these liberation war heroes have a way of reaching out to each other. It can be Mbeki vs Zuma but you will find that when it comes to Mugabe the two adversaries bury the knives and stand together to support a long time comrade. All that we did not know and presupposed has been exhumed and revealed to us: that Mugabe has the support of all these SADC rulers except Ian Khama of… [Read Full Text]
Since none of us have a heaven or hell to put anyone, I think we should express ourselves without name calling.If the leaders donot want to share the power 50/50,then I perfer President Mugabe 150% to finish out his term as the Great Hero and Leader of Zimbabwe and Its' Peoples.Never again should we be governed by other Nations unfairly.God will surely make a way for us if we just lean on him and call his name,Jesus!Jesus! he will hear us.God Bless Africa and America.Oweij Liebo- Tarboro,North Carolina USA.
gabe has tarnished his name forever it and it will not be know as a great hero or liberator outside a few southern African countries but he will be remembered as a murderer, dictator and a power hungry currupt president who will soon be forgotten...So you live in a nation and prosper of the white anglo peoples so be careful of who you accuse of unfairly governing. Never use Jesus will make a way if we lean on Him and not Mugabe or the Zanu-pf. Which one is your God? mugabe or Jesus????
You've been governed by Mugabe for hte last 28 years, and now look at the state of the country. Its a disgrace. Why would you want anymore of this?
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Active Discussions: Regional Leaders Decide Against Tsvangirai