NEW DEAL IN ZIMBABWE MAY COLLAPSE
Aug 13th, 2008 by admin
THE ruling Zimbabwe’s African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) yesterday said the ongoing power-sharing risked collapse because of differences with the opposition over roles in a new government.
Marathon talks between the ZANU-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), seen as Zimbabwe’s best chance to end a post-election crisis and raise hopes of economic recovery, have so far failed to secure a breakthrough.
After a second day of discussions, President Robert Mugabe told reporters and supporters on Monday there was progress in talks with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and breakaway MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara. But a ZANU-PF official according to Reuters said the talks were in danger of failure.
“Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon,” he said, referring to whether Mugabe would head a new unity government.
An MDC source said Mugabe refuses to give up executive powers.
Negotiations which resumed at 3 p.m. (9 a.m. EDT), yesterday began in July after Mugabe’s unopposed re-election in a June poll condemned throughout the world as unfair and boycotted by Tsvangirai because of attacks on his supporters.
Political analysts say there are a host of formidable issues.
First and foremost is whether Mugabe will be ready to give up some powers that have helped him keep a tight grip. Control of powerful security forces is another critical question.
Neighbouring countries fear the consequences of more instability in Zimbabwe. Deepening hardships have already driven millions of Zimbabweans to seek work abroad.
Investors are likely to remain cautious even if there is a breakthrough, seeking reassurances that any new government can rescue what was once one of Africa’s most promising economies and safeguard their money.