Tsvangirai MDC ready to quit talks if solution not found

By Tichaona Sibanda
11 August 2008

The Tsvangirai MDC has threatened to walk out of the power-sharing talks, citing the length of time it has taken to find a solution to the country’s crisis, sources said on Monday.

‘The talks cannot go on for ever. The MDC has made it known to Thabo Mbeki that they are not happy with the time it has taken to resolve the crisis,’ said the source from Harare.

It is believed the MDC negotiators, including Morgan Tsvangirai, were ready to throw an ultimatum at Mbeki that after Monday they would walk out of the talks if all parties fail to agree to a common position.

Political analyst Glen Mpani told us the issue of security guarantees for Mugabe and his henchmen is proving to be one of the sticking points at the talks.

‘This is why you see Zanu-PF saying the issue of Mugabe’s position is none negotiable. Everything happening at the talks is about Mugabe’s survival and not about resolving the crisis. This is why it has taken this long for the two sides to agree on the way forward,’ Mpani said
Negotiations have reportedly included proposals for Mugabe to take on a ceremonial role as Presdent, in exchange for amnesty from prosecution, with Tsvangirai as executive prime minister. It’s believed however that Mugabe is having none of this and is demanding that he leads the government.

‘Mbeki needs to come out with a balancing act that would be acceptable to all parties and to Zimbabweans in general. But the feeling all around is that based on the 27th March results Morgan Tsvangirai should lead a new government in Zimbabwe, otherwise any other deal will be viewed with suspicion even among his own supporters and the international community,’ Mpani added.