Mbeki and Mugabe met in Harare to discuss the status of the SADC-led negotiations between Mugabe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Mbeki was en route to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which kicked off Firday in Kampala, Uganda.
Mugabe is said to have bulked at the allegations, labelling them the “usual accusations” made by the MDC. Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the MDC, raised the issue of ongoing political violence and intimidation and told Mbeki that despite the SADC-sponsored talks, Mugabe’s state security agents were still harassing opposition officials and supporters.
Tsvangirai insisted that he expected a firm commitment from the ruling Zanu-PD party to cease violence if the talks were to succeed. Other issues raised by the opposition with Mbeki were the timing of next year’s polls and the legitimacy of the Constitution, that the elections are free and fair and observfance of SADC guildelines on staging the elections.
The MDC has claimed the political climate in Zimbabwe is not conducive to holding free and fair elections citing continuing political violence.
Mbeki told journalists, after meeting Mugabe and the MDC, that he was confident the talks would succeed.
“The talks have been going on very well. I came to Harare so that we can reflect where we are and give my own perspective. It was basically to inform President Mugabe and the MDC leaders, as the principals,” he said.
The Sunday Times report claims Mbeki is under pressure from the European Union to conclude talks before the EU-Africa summit to be held in Portugal in early December. European leaders are at loggerheads over the attendance of Mugbe, with British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown insisting he and senior government officials will not attend the summit if the Zimbabwean leader is present.
The report also claims that Mbeki shared notes with Mugabe over Africa’s position regarding the summit.Â
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