Mugabe, Tsvangirai set for final showdown

• New government by the end of February - paper

• Tsvangirai stands by threat to quit talks - party

• SA says arrests should not delay unity government

• US, UK plans to torpedo unity government draw fire

• US withdraws support for unity government

• Tsvangirai's remarks at Gaberone press briefing

• Tsvangirai threatens to quit unity government talks

• In letter, Mugabe appoints Tsvangirai Prime Minister

• Alfi Nyoni: Why Tsvangirai must join government

• Mugabe tells supporters to be ready for new elections

• Post Editorial: Tsvangirai pushing his luck too far

• Zambian newspaper lashes Tsvangirai, warns of 'shifting tide of public opinion'

• Document: Tendai Biti's letter to Mbeki

• Negotiators strike agreement on Constitutional Amendment No. 19

• Talks threatened as Mbeki, Tsvangirai trade barbs

• Text: statement by South Africa cabinet on Zimbabwe

• Document: SADC communique on Zimbabwe, DRC

Posted to the web: 05/01/2009 01:34:11
A MEETING between President Robert Mugabe and his opposition rivals appeared likely in the next few days after both Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara insisted on it in what could be the last push to form a power sharing government in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe began his month-long official leave on Monday, although his spokesman said he would be “very busy, working on the structures of an inclusive government”.

The 84-year-old leader traditionally spends his holidays in Asia, but George Charamba said he would spend the bulk of it in Zimbabwe – clearing the way for a critical meeting between the leaders which could also be attended by South African President and SADC chairman Kgalema Motlanthe.

Tsvangirai turned down an invitation from Mugabe to be sworn-in last week, insisting on a meeting between Mugabe and himself to "iron out outstanding matters". And on Monday, details leaked of Mutambara’s reply to Mugabe.

Mutambara's letter, only a paragraph-long in length, says: “While fully appreciating the utmost urgency of the matter, may I, your Excellency, respectfully suggest and request that the matter of nomination of individuals to ministerial positions be resolved by way of a meeting of the principals so that the nominations may be reflected upon by the principals.”

Mutambara, who leads a smaller faction of the MDC which has the balance of power in parliament, met Mugabe last week. Officials said they both agreed on the urgency of forming a government, and appreciated the importance of getting Tsvangirai onboard.

Tsvangirai, who is in his third month outside Zimbabwe, was in South Africa this week with his party’s top leadership to map strategy on how to break the stalemate over a power sharing deal which he signed with Mugabe and Mutambara on September 15.

Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa told New Zimbabwe.com from Johannesburg that a Constitutional Amendment Bill set to come before parliament on January 20 could not pass before Mugabe and Tsvangirai agree on the allocation of cabinet portfolios, provincial governors and “setting the scope, defining the parameters and the answerability” of the National Security Council through an Act of parliament.

A report on Monday said a summit of the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) could be called sometime next week to nudge the Zimbabwe parties towards forming a government after months of bickering.

Mugabe agreed to share power after a disputed presidential election on June 27. Under the deal, he will remain President while Tsvangirai becomes the Prime Minister, and Mutambara one of his two deputies.

Mugabe also gets to appoint 15 ministers, Tsvangirai 13 and Mutambara three. But Tsvangirai has sparred with Mugabe over the control of what has been identified by his MDC party as “key ministries” – including the powerful Home Affairs portfolio under which the police force falls.

State media reported Monday that Mugabe would form a government by the end of February, even if it means excluding the MDC factions. "The president has had enough of games from the opposition," the Herald quoted a government source as saying.
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