 |
|
|
|
|
| author/source:SW Radio Africa |
| published:Tue 1-Dec-2009 |
| posted on this site:Wed 2-Dec-2009 |
|
| Article Type : News |
|
| Sources in both parties indicate that no deal is going to be reached by 5 December |
 |
|
By Lance Guma
Talks aimed at resolving outstanding issues plaguing the coalition government seemed headed for another deadlock on Tuesday. South African President Jacob Zuma had dispatched a team of former cabinet ministers, Charles Nqakula, Mac Maharaj and Lindiwe Zulu to try and help end the impasse. On Monday this ‘facilitation team’ first met with Mugabe and then later with Zanu PF and MDC negotiators in Harare, to set the agenda for their programme. This team is expected to go back to South Africa on Wednesday while it was speculated that Zuma himself would be in the country either Tuesday evening or on Wednesday. The facilitators were tightlipped about the talks only saying; ‘It was a very good meeting in the sense that we have met everyone we wanted to meet. The meetings are still on-going.’
Despite the MDC telling journalists they cannot discuss details of the negotiations because of a memorandum of understanding that they be held in secret, Zanu PF is disregarding this. Tuesday’s Herald newspaper contained details of the negotiations, with the paper mocking the MDC for raising what they claim are new outstanding issues. A total of 21 issues are now said to be up for discussion, according to the paper. Zanu PF are sticking to their familiar arguments, saying the MDC has not called for the lifting of targeted sanctions, an end to ‘external interference’ and the closing down of so-called pirate radio stations. Mugabe’s party also insists the MDC dismantle what it calls a ‘parallel government structure’ set up by the Prime Minister.
Analysts say the Zanu PF is not raising any real issues and the demands they have listed are merely a smokescreen, to cover up for their lack of sincerity and unwillingness to share power. For example they point out that targeted sanctions were imposed by western countries and not by the MDC. The same countries have already made it clear that certain benchmarks need to be met before the measures are removed. Similarly the ‘pirate radio stations’ are not run by the MDC and the party has no power to close them down. Sources in both the MDC and Zanu PF have said enough to indicate that no deal is going to be reached by the December 5th deadline set by the SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security last month. Evidence that the talks will simply hit a brickwall came from Zanu PF politburo member, Absolom Sikhosana, who gave an interview to Studio 7 (ironically one of the so-called pirate stations). He made it clear that Zanu PF will not make any concessions until western targeted sanctions are removed.
The MDC meanwhile want a review of the appointments of the Reserve Bank governor and the Attorney General. The latest information is that the negotiators have resolved to tackle these appointments last, since they are the most fiercely contested. Tsvangirai’s party also wants their Deputy Agriculture Minister Roy Bennett sworn in and provincial governors appointed, according to an agreed formula that reflects the March 2008 elections. The party also wants Mugabe to stop unilaterally tampering with ministerial mandates. The state media claim that the MDC has raised additional outstanding issues covers media reforms, national hero status, constitutional commissions, security sector reforms and the appointment of permanent secretaries. The MDC refused to comment on these claims. But a highly placed official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the outstanding issues had simply been divided into two categories. The core issues were classed under ‘non implementation’ of the Global Political Agreement, while the ‘smaller’ issues fell under ‘non fulfillment’. He said they had decided to take advantage of the ‘window of opportunity offered by the South African team to tackle all the problems affecting this coalition government'.
back to top |
|
|
|
|
