Agenda for talks set but is there political will?

By Violet Gonda
21 June 2007

After reports of much disagreement the opposition and the ruling party have finally agreed on the agenda for talks. But observers say the sticking point will be whether or not there is political will. Agreeing on the agenda does not mean progress in terms of the final outcome.
It is understood that the only reason ZANU PF is in these talks is out of fear of losing SADC support if they are not seen to be co-operating with the regional initiative. ZANU PF had already spurned the talks twice and was reportedly warned by Mbeki that he will not tolerate any more delaying tactics.

Journalist Basildon Peta who has been following events closely in South Africa said because of the clear reluctance of the ruling party to be part of this dialogue, some South African officials are only “cautiously optimistic” about the outcome. He said: “Yes they have agreed on the agenda, now it comes to the substance and if you look at the positions of the two parties, their differences are like the distance between the North and South Poles so it is going to be difficult to get agreements in the end.”
The talks have now been adjourned to early July and South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected to report to his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete next week. Kikwete is the Chairperson of the SADC troika on Defence, Politics and Security. Mbeki is expected to reconvene the dialogue in early July where the substantive issues will be discussed.

Peta said sources close to the talks say topics the opposition has managed to get on the agenda include the controversial issue of a new constitution, how to ensure free and fair elections next year, the amendment of repressive legislations, the re-opening of closed newspapers and the restoration of the rule of law.

“And on the ZANU PF side they managed to put on the agenda issues close to their heart. Land reform and the role of external players in Zimbabwe and regime change allegations,” the journalist added.
Sources say the meeting was nearly derailed by the rants of the ZANU PF officials, especially from the Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa who at times became militant.

Peta says this is why many rule out any prospects of this dialogue achieving anything tangible. He said: “ZANU PF has become a moribund entity, an anachronistic institution. I just don’t see anyone to knock any sense into Chinamasa and Goche’s heads to accept the reality that they ought to accept, if there is going to be any significant change in Zimbabwe in terms of ensuring free and fair elections.”
But while the political parties are talking about talks, observers say there is a real risk that the talks will be eclipsed by the economic collapse. Analysts say runaway inflation may result in an early exit for Robert Mugabe.