Zimbabwe: Why Tsvangirai Refused To Sign
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Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
24 August 2008
Posted to the web 24 August 2008
Walter Marwizi and Vusumuzi Sifile
Harare
THE lid on the power-sharing agreement between Zanu PF and the MDC was blown off yesterday as a leaked document revealed for the first time that President Robert Mugabe would have remained both as head of State and head of government in a new arrangement sanctioned by Sadc leaders.
The regional leaders, led by South African President Thabo Mbeki, reportedly pressured MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to sign "the deal", and after failing to do so, gave Mugabe the go-ahead to convene parliament.
Their blessing, which allows Mugabe to preside over the opening of parliament on Tuesday, ran contrary to the spirit and letter of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the negotiating parties.
Both parties pledged the convening of parliament would only be done through consensus.
Leaked documents and information gathered from various sources show that the unsuccessful deal, far from ensuring a changing political landscape favouring Tsvangirai who polled the most votes in March 29 elections, would have entrenched Mugabe's grip on power.
The documents show this 50-50 power arrangement was clearly in favour of Mugabe who would remain Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and head of government as well as head of state.
Tsvangirai refused to sign the agreement nearly two weeks ago in order to "reflect and consult".
Sources have revealed that top among Tsvangirai's worries was paragraph 2 of the document titled Role of the Prime Minister.
While the paragraph stipulated that the prime minister would carry the responsibility to oversee the formulation of policies by the Cabinet, it also spelt out that Tsvangirai would not be the man in charge — he would only be "a Member of the Cabinet and its Deputy Chairperson".
This arrangement left Mugabe, in accordance with the Zimbabwe constitution, as the head of Cabinet.
To make matters worse for Tsvangirai, who had insisted that he heads the cabinet, according paragraph 11 he would "report regularly to the president".
Sources say Tsvangirai is said to have strongly disagreed with such a provision that would have left him without adequate authority to engineer economic recovery and overcome repression.
Tsvangirai would find himself undermined if his authority is not spelt out because if things go wrong, he would be blamed.
Tsvangirai also could not discipline ministers under such an arrangement, as he could only "make recommendations on such disciplinary measures as may be necessary."
The president and the prime minister, say the documents — confirmed as authentic by different sources close to the talks — "will agree on the allocation of ministries between them for the purpose of day-to-day supervision".
That also meant that Tsvangirai would not be in effective charge of government.
The president, our sources said, would retain broad powers to declare a state of emergency, declare war or make peace and to grant amnesty.
Mugabe would also retain control of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) which would remain in place, save for a change in name. Tsvangirai would play second fiddle to Mugabe.
"The prime minister shall serve as a member of the National Security Council and this will ensure his participation in deliberations on matters of national security and operations pertaining thereto," say the documents.
Sources say Tsvangirai decided to take time to reflect on such an arrangement after failing to ensure that Mugabe would take a back seat in governance issues.
"Tsvangirai wanted an additional paragraph that would have effectively made the president (Mugabe) ceremonial," said the source.
"The other negotiators however turned down his request, arguing that this was a 50-50 power-sharing deal."
Sources close to the talks said yesterday under that agreement, Tsvangirai felt he would be more a senior minister in Mugabe's cabinet than a prime minister.
"He noticed that Mugabe remained the head of the chain of command in cabinet, so why should he agree to be prime minister under these circumstances? A prime minister should simply be in charge," said a source.
Another source said Tsvangirai had hoped that both the prime minister and president's powers would be drawn from a transitional constitution but was dismayed after noting that Mugabe would remain with his old sweeping powers intact.
Relevant Links
Tsvangirai would in that situation find himself undermined at every turn.
Read comments. Write your own.
Are you shocked? What do you expect from Mbeki? The man is the biggest cheerleader of Mugabi, and will not undermine his pal. They're both criminals with their hands dripping of Zimbabwean blood.
The whole negotiation of the so called sharing of power is a waste of time and resources. Mugabi is trying to use you to get the world of his back. Remember what happened to Josuah Nkomo? He sold his sole to the devil Mugabi, and paid the ultimate price. At the end, 20,000 of his supporters were butchered. Devils like Mugabi and Mbeki can never be… [Read Full Text]
What criminals, pretending to be desiring that the will of the Zimbabweans be respected! What is the point of elections if after one wins your defeated opponent can remain in power? Are these 'African leaders thinking at all? God help their countries, because they must dictatorial too.
"What criminals, pretending to be desiring that the will of the Zimbabweans be respected! What is the point of elections if after one wins your defeated opponent can remain in power? Are these 'African leaders thinking at all? God help their countries, because they must dictatorial too."
Apparently these African leaders are reacting to the facts on the ground, whereas you seem to be operating according some neo-colonial western propaganda.
Loser, not only are you a stool pidgeon for Mugs but also a parrot, must you always copy and paste others intelligent comments into your ignorant ones ? Keep up the "good work" of posting ignorant comments, it justifies the thesis of the Think Tank as to why Afrika is in such a mess !
"Author: Makasa Loser, not only are you a stool pidgeon for Mugs but also a parrot, must you always copy and paste others intelligent comments into your ignorant ones ? Keep up the "good work" of posting ignorant comments, it justifies the thesis of the Think Tank as to why Afrika is in such a mess !"
makass, The reason I copy and paste the comments that I'm answering is because I don't want any ambiguity about what or who I am addressing. I would figure that you wouldn't be smart enough to figure that out. Anyhow, thanks for… [Read Full Text]
Always a pleasure to read your rubbish Loser, no kidding about the copying , hahahaha , Most of are not as ignorant as you Loser and know exactly what is being referred to but if it helps you , and you need it, then use it my brother. The restof us are square with things and aware. Always white mans fault hey ? 28 Years my brother ignorance has reigned in Zimbabwe , must be white mans evil ! The rest of Africa in tatters , with billions of bad white dollars , pounds, euros poured in, ah aha… [Read Full Text]
"Author: Makasa Always a pleasure to read your rubbish Loser, no kidding about the copying , hahahaha , Most of are not as ignorant as you Loser and know exactly what is being referred to but if it helps you , and you need it, then use it my brother. The restof us are square with things and aware. Always white mans fault hey ? 28 Years my brother ignorance has reigned in Zimbabwe , must be white mans evil ! The rest of Africa in tatters , with billions of bad white dollars , pounds, euros poured in,… [Read Full Text]
The Zim head of state is not the only longest serving head of state,Egypt is home to one of the longest serving head of state to mention a few. Accusations against Hon.Mugabe don't really make sense but provide a position of a better view and understanding of what is in the minds of our longest oppressors. Their motives to exploit Africa and enslave her children in disgiuse of democracy are vivid. Land reform policy with a structured economic development approach is what must be anticipated in this 21st century, Africans have made their minds, freedom has began to be a… [Read Full Text]
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Transfer of Executive power! Nothing less!!
MDC-T must be hailed for refusing to join a government led by lunatic, murderer, bloodsucker, criminal Mugabe holding to illegitimate power! Vilain Mbeki is the main culprit for giving false hope to his devilish plan to confirm devil Mugabe at the helm after a vast majority of Zimbabweans have rejected ZANU-PF.
If ever civil war breaks out in Zimbabwe, Mbeki is most to blame!
Zimbabweans will be cornered by devil Mugabe to embark upon a second war of liberation. This time against the hero turned devilish keeping the whole government machinery under his control… [Read Full Text]