By Tichaona Sibanda
31 May 2010
Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara eventually met in Harare on Monday to discuss the final report on the Global Political Agreement.
The three principals last met more than a month ago. There has been much concern that the leaders were displaying a lack of urgency in dealing with the implementation of the remaining issues in the GPA.
James Maridadi, Tsvangirai’ spokesman, confirmed to SW Radio Africa that the leaders were meeting in the capital. It is believed they are considering the final report by their party negotiators, on issues impeding the full implementation of the GPA.
‘The meeting started at 3pm and usually they finish around 6 in the evening. But I don’t know the agenda of the meeting,’ Maridadi said.
Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara have kept South African President Jacob Zuma, the facilitator in the protracted dialogue, waiting since April 3rd. The three political principals have to deliberate on the negotiators’ report before the South Africans can resume their mediation process. The report, compiled by the six party negotiators, gives advice to the principals on the implementation matrix - the formula to be used to share provincial governors and how to deal with the other issues.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us the principals need to resolve the outstanding issues in the GPA for the country to move forward.
Part of the outstanding issues being contested by ZANU PF and the MDC are the appointment of senior government officials including MDC treasurer general, Roy Bennett as deputy minister of Agriculture and the removal of targeted sanctions on Mugabe and his senior officials.
Mugabe refused to swear in Bennett, citing terrorism charges he was facing. However, Bennett was this month cleared of the charges, although the state is said to be considering an appeal against his acquittal.
Two weeks ago, Tsvangirai also wrote a strongly worded letter to Mugabe warning him that he risked plunging the country into a constitutional crisis, following his unilateral appointment of three High Court judge.
One of those appointed by Mugabe was the controversial former Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairman, George Chiweshe, who is now Judge President of the High Court.
Tsvangirai, who only read about the appointments in the state controlled Herald newspaper, was expected to challenge Mugabe over the appointments during Monday’s meeting.
Mugabe’s unilateral decisions have threatened the fragile unity government on many occasions.
Unfortunately, once again, Zimbabweans are denied the right to know any details about Mondays meeting.
|