Zimbabwe rivals fight over who will chair cabinet

Zimbabwe rivals fight over who will chair cabinet

TALKS: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara were locked in marathon talks spilling into early Monday

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By Mduduzi Mathuthu
Last updated August 11, 2008
ZIMBABWE’S main political rivals talked through the night Sunday into the small hours of Monday, battling to strike up a power-sharing deal that is hoped will end the country’s political crisis following President Robert Mugabe’s disputed election victory.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, appointed by regional trade bloc SADC to mediate between the parties, remained in Zimbabwe on Monday after arriving in Harare on Saturday night.

Mugabe and the two leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara began their discussions just after noon on Sunday and only broke off at 3am on Monday.

The three leaders agreed to attend Heroes’ Day celebrations together on Monday morning before returning to the negotiating table to seal a deal that will see the ruling Zanu PF party and the MDC factions share power.

"We're not through yet, but we've taken a break," said President Mugabe, as he left early Monday.

Asked if sticking points remained, he said: "There are always sticking points in any dialogue, but we are confident we will overcome."

Under the deal, sources say, Mugabe will remain President and Tsvangirai will become Prime Minister with extended powers – a move that will require a constitutional amendment to be passed in parliament.

Sources close to the discussions told New Zimbabwe.com that the parties were stuck on “small little things, totally insignificant things” which should be resolved when the parties reconvene just after midday on Monday.

“The only thing they are squabbling over right now,” said a source, “is basically who will chair cabinet.”

The source would not disclose other elements of the settlement but he said the parties had agreed on all the major issues that needed ironing out – including the share of cabinet posts and the introduction of a new constitution.

President Mbeki hopes to seal a deal before SADC heads of state gather in South Africa on Friday for a summit.

Mbeki is keen for the dialogue to succeed to stave off criticism of his “quiet diplomacy” towards Zimbabwe by western nations who have responded to the crisis with sanctions and condemnation.

Mbeki’s mediation began in March last year but was given fresh impetus by the dispute over Zimbabwe’s June 27 presidential election run-off which Tsvangirai boycotted, citing violence against his supporters.

The election was universally condemned as a farce, forcing SADC and the African Union to nudge the political rivals towards a power sharing arrangement to reflect a hung parliament where no party enjoys a majority to implement changes in legislation.

A deal signed on Heroes Day would be hugely symbolic as Zimbabweans remember fallen heroes from the bush war of independence against white rule in the 1970s. Thousands were expected to gather at the National Heroes Acre – a shrine on the outskirts of the capital, Harare. The events are normally boycotted by the opposition which sees them as campaign platforms for President Mugabe.
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