Zuma expected in Harare Tuesday

By Tichaona Sibanda
15 March 2010

South African President Jacob Zuma is due to fly into Harare on Tuesday at the start of a three day visit aimed at ending the political gridlock between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.

Zuma’s three-member facilitiation team jetted into the country on Monday to prepare ground for his visit, the first in Harare since he took over the SADC mediator’s role from former President Thabo Mbeki.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai have failed to reach a compromise on the remaining issues in the Global Politcal Agreement, but have continued with some form of engagement, even though Robert Mugabe has clearly shown his unwillingness to let go of the reins of power.
Tsvangirai and Mugabe are feuding over the ZANU PF leader’s unilateral appointments of the Attorney General and Central Bank governor. Another contentious issue is Mugabe’s refusal to swear in Roy Bennett, Tsvangirai’s pick for deputy agriculture minister, who is being prosecuted for treason.

Since its formation a year ago, the inclusive government has been bogged down in squabbling over the allocation of key government posts, farm invasions, political violence and targeted sanctions imposed on Mugabe and members of his ZANU PF party elite.

Zuma’s facilitation team was due to hold meetings on Monday night with ZANU PF and MDC negotiators, to lay the ground for his peace mission trip. The facilitation team that comprises former South African ministers Charles Nqakula and Mac Maharaj, and President Zuma’s international relations advisor Lindiwe Zulu, has been to Harare on a number of occasions but has apparently not been able to make any headway.

Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche represent ZANU PF in the talks, while the MDC formations are represented by Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), and Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-M).

Lately Zuma has said if there is no movement on the negotiations, an early election to choose a new government was the next best thing to resolve the crisis.

Analyst Luke Zunga told us ‘anything is possible’ from Zuma’s mediation trip. He said the fact he will spend three days in Harare gives the impression he wants to push the protagonists to bridge their differences and reach a conclusive deal.

If there is no breakthrough to solve the remaining issues, the most likely scenario is Zuma might want to wind up negotiations on the GPA and set up a timetable for fresh elections next year,’ Zunga said.