Zimbabwean talks suffer setback
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- Talks to break the political impasse in Zimbabwe that had seemed to gather momentum have suffered yet another major setback after it has emerged that the main opposition Movement or Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai has refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding that was set to pave way for the beginning of the negotiations.
Representatives from the main political players, the two factions of the MDC and the ZANU PF spend the greater part of this week in South Africa where they were trying to map out the MOU that was set to spell out the modalities of the talks.
After the representatives of the parties came up with the MOU, the leaders were then expected to sign it paving way for the real talks meant to solve the political impasse in the country to commence.
But it has since emerged that Tsvangirai has refused to sign the MOU maintaining that ZANU PF has to stop the violence that has continued to claim MDC supporters in the post run off election period.
Since the talks are held in privacy, all the parties have refused to shed light on the circumstances behind the progress of the party.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa maintained that his party was committed to find a solution to the problems that were affecting Zimbabwe.
“The party is committed to a negotiated settlement with a view to achieve a transitional model that will deal with the challenges facing the country,” he said.
ZANU PF representative to the talks, Patrick Chinamasa refused to take questions on the matter.
However it is understood the Tsvangirai has maintained his position that the talks can only progress after state sponsored violence stops and another mediator from the African Union is added on the team.
MDC claims that 10 of its MPS are in hiding fearing violence from ZANU PF militants while more than 115 of its supporters have been killed allegedly by ZANU PF militia and supporters.
The party also claims that there must be another mediator from the African Union to help SADC appointed mediator Mr Thabo Mbeki.
However Mbeki’s Government has reiterated that there was no need to bring in another mediator in the equation.•