HARARE – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been nudged into stepping up efforts aimed at solving the Zimbabwean political crisis through a negotiated settlement following indications of failure of talks chaired by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.
Confidential details obtained from diplomatic sources in Harare and South Africa show that the UNDP and others have been backing Mbeki’s mediation process with pledges of a US$800 million rescue package. With the collapse of the talks, the UNDP is expected to task diplomatic representatives in Harare to try and mediate between President Robert Mugabe and the MDC.
Our sources say the diplomatic community intends to attempt what clearly is a very difficult task of convincing Mugabe to reverse his decision to hold elections on March 29, and come back to the negotiating table.
“There is unanimity in the whole diplomatic community on the need for a negotiated settlement to avoid the situation really protruding and getting out of hand – similar to the events in Kenya,” a source said. “Engagements have already started and Mugabe must be meeting a highly-powered delegation of diplomats soon for that mission. The opposition has told the diplomatic community that they will not participate in the elections and that presents serious uncertainty.”
MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai last week told diplomats here that there had been a deadlock in the SADC-brokered dialogue on the political environment, the transitional constitution and the election date, and that the MDC would only participate in a free and fair election.” – Staff reporter
Post published in: News