GPA negotiators change venue to dodge prying eyes

By Tichaona Sibanda
25 November 2009

Talks aimed at finding a lasting solution to the country’s shaky inclusive government are being held in total secrecy, at undisclosed venues in Harare.

To ensure privacy the negotiators from ZANU PF and the two MDC formations are changing venues daily, to dodge the ‘prying eyes and ears’ of local and international media.

A source in Harare told us the negotiators were planning to meet the whole day on Wednesday, after they broke off talks early on Tuesday to attend cabinet. However negotiations resumed later Tuesday evening.

‘On Monday and Tuesday the negotiators met, but not for long periods. But today (Wednesday) they will meet from morning till late in the evening. My guess is they’re rushing to meet the SADC deadline,’ our source said.

Although the latest dialogue has failed to meet the first SADC mandated timeline of 15 days, the negotiators have expressed optimism the talks won’t exceed the 30 day deadline set by SADC, which falls on 6th December.

There is also clear frustration at the lack of transparency and progress so far. Political analyst Gabriel Shumba warned that this current phase of talks is expected to be tough, since it ventures into proper power-sharing, which is at the crux of the dispute. Although many analysts express concern and amazement that real power sharing was not at the heart of the agreement from day one.

‘What is extremely worrying to most of us now is lack of any information coming from the talks. This exclusionary approach to rebuilding Zimbabwe can only spell doom if the fate of the country is decided only by six individuals,’ Shumba said. He added that it was possible to understand the logic behind the secrecy of the exact details, because of fears that outside influences can impact negatively on the negotiations.

‘But that should not stop them from briefing the media on a daily basis or weekly basis. There should be transparency during these talks. Ideally they should call a press conference where they must allow input from Zimbabweans through interaction with journalists,’ Shumba added.

During the Lancaster House talks that brought about the country’s independence from the British, negotiations were not held under the glare of television cameras, but the process was held in an atmosphere of some transparency.
At the end of each day the main representatives of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian delegation, led by Ian Smith and Bishop Abel Muzorewa of the UANC, and ZANU PF and PF ZAPU representing Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, each called a press conference where journalists were briefed on the proceedings of the day.
ZANU PF and the MDC are still deeply divided over a number of issues, especially Mugabe’s powers to unilaterally appoint senior government officials like the Attorney-General and the Reserve Bank governor.

A SADC ministerial team that assessed the implementation of the GPA last month recommended that Gono be ‘reassigned’, in order to solve one of the thorny disputes in the unity government.