SADC mediation talks miss deadline

By Tichaona Sibanda
30 October 2007

The SADC led mediation talks on Zimbabwe, already behind schedule on several fronts, have missed Tuesday’s key deadline for agreement on a broad framework for free and fair elections.
Despite worries that failure to meet Tuesday’s deadline will be another step down the slippery slope for the mediation talks, there are reports the negotiating teams have assembled in Pretoria to thrash out the remaining stumbling blocks.
The talks are set to resume Wednesday and it is expected that all the remaining issues will be tabled for discussion. Issues still to be tackled are the roles of the police, military and the CIO during the elections, and the contentious issue of when to introduce the country’s new constitution. Both sides have agreed on a new constitution but are divided over when to introduce it. Zanu-PF wants to introduce it after the elections, while the MDC insist it has to come before.
The MDC’s head of foreign Affairs, Professor Elphas Mukonoweshuro, said while negotiators have missed their 30th October deadline, it was not a matter of sticking to deadlines on such crucial talks.

‘It is more of a matter in ensuring that agreed positions are understood by all sides and that they will not be revisited. In the course of discussions it has become apparent that they cannot be rushed to meet today’s (Tuesday) deadline,’ Mukonoweshuro said.

Reports indicate that a settlement was within President Thabo Mbeki’s grasp between the fiercely antagonistic opposing parties. Analysts have warned both sides not to let this opportunity pass because they won’t get another one like it in the near future.

Tuesday had been earmarked as the end of six months of talks aimed at producing an agreement on the crisis rocking the country. According to the MDC more than 3000 of its supporters have been on the receiving end of intimidation and violence by Zanu-PF supporters.
The current talks constitute the most comprehensive and sustained attempt to reduce tensions between Zanu-PF and opposition parties and resolve the issue of free and fair elections. It is hoped the talks are set to move into high gear, as all sides are now eager to come up with some kind of conclusion.