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Zimbabwe: MDC Spells Out Terms for Deal at Talks
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The Nation (Nairobi)
5 August 2008
Posted to the web 5 August 2008
Kitsepile Nyathi
Harare
Zimbabwe's opposition has broken silence on its demands at the ongoing power-sharing talks with President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF saying it will not accept anything short of executive powers for its leader.
The two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu PF resumed negotiations on Sunday after a short break and indications are that the proposal to have the opposition leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister is top on the agenda.
The protagonists had made a commitment not to discuss the progress of the talks in public but the outbursts by senior MDC officials could signal serious disagreements on the way forward.
Monday was the deadline to conclude the talks but both sides have indicated that more time would be needed to thrash out the stick points.
"The MDC will not accept any deal that denies Tsvangirai executive powers," said Mr Sam Sipepa Nkomo, an MDC executive member. "The talks would rather collapse or not move forward unless Mugabe is offered a ceremonial post or forced to retire.
"We have said if Mugabe refuses to give in we will just say 'go ahead and govern."
Mr Tsvangirai's deputy, Mrs Thokozani Khuphe was also quoted by the international media expressing similar sentiments during an address to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
Observers say the issue of who would wield "real" power in the negotiated settlement was one of the contentious issues that led to the reported breakdown of the talks last week.
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Mr Mugabe last week accused Western countries of using "local puppets" to demand that he step down despite winning elections. The veteran leader has in the past labelled the MDC a creation of Western imperialists pushing for a regime change in Zimbabwe.
"Mr Mugabe last week accused Western countries of using “local puppets” to demand that he step down despite winning elections. The veteran leader has in the past labelled the MDC a creation of Western imperialists pushing for a regime change in Zimbabwe."
Then why the hell is he negotiating with them! He thinks he's one the election freely and fairly and he thinks he has the people behind him, so what the hell is he doing talking to the puppets?
Could it be that without the inclusion of the MDC in the government, there is no legitimacy? I think he... [Read Full Text]
I agree with your comment. All countries have their own set of problems but Zimbabwe problems can be solved first if ego's are put aside and all parties do what is best for the people. Mugabe is "negotiating" with the oppsition not because he thinks he is actually going to "share" power but he is realizing that he needs to keep the West quiet that's all. It's all a show I think.
Iwe Baasi!! What do you think about Northern Ireland? Do you think that the IRA, a TERRORIST GROUP in the USA black book, should be allowed to form government with the INNOCENT protestant groups ??? The Catholic Irish terrorists were allowed to keep their parliamentary seats in London while they were busy murdering and maiming women and children. Why should they be allowed to be part of the GVT in the STORMONT? Please explain to me the reasons for the difference in your approach to Zimbabwe's problems? Perhaps it is because the Irish Catholic IRA and the protestant Scotish settlers... [Read Full Text]
Iwe Baasi!! What do you think about Northern Ireland? Do you think that the IRA, a TERRORIST GROUP in the USA black book, should be allowed to form government with the INNOCENT protestant groups ??? The Catholic Irish terrorists were allowed to keep their parliamentary seats in London while they were busy murdering and maiming women and children. Why should they be allowed to be part of the GVT in the STORMONT? Please explain to me the reasons for the difference in your approach to Zimbabwe's problems? Perhaps it is because the Irish Catholic IRA and the protestant Scotish settlers... [Read Full Text]
Please tell me why the IRA were allowed to get into the new Stormont GVT? These are murderers and killers of children and mothers !!! You being a non-african you are better positioned to explain this to me.
Akafunboy. Being a Mugabe fan, you obviously have no problem with the murderers and killers of children and mothers getting into power. So why are you complaining?
Once again you make no point. If it was wrong for the IRA, it was wrong for Mugabe. You simply try and dodge the issue. I can list pages of criminal acts that have gone unpunished. Just because other murders have gotten away with their crime does not mean we should let this one escape justice.
He is negotiating because he accepts that there is a crisis which can only be solved by unity of puporse and not antagonism. He does not need MDC/the West to legitimise his rule. According to the Zimbabwe constitution he has the legal mandate whether you people like it or not and that is all that matters. One thing you should start accepting is that he is not going anywhere and most of you have to start dealing with that.Our revolution has been completed.We have got the land and for sure we can safely say we are free from the shackles... [Read Full Text]
I read your tripe about Mugabe, he robbed Zimbabweans of dignity , steals from his own people, murders , rapes , anyone else would face a world court and severe punishment. Nobody wants your damned country , you wanted it, the stupid British gave it to thugs and now you expect us in the rest of the world to pick up the tab to bail you out ? Why should we have our taxes increased to support scum ? We don't mind helping honest people in Zimbabwe , but not evil people like Mugabe and his thugs. Mugabe... [Read Full Text]
Couldnt agree more Makasa.
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