Mugabe claims that he is the rightful president because he won the one-man contest on June 27, while Tsvangirai maintains he should lead because he won the first election on March 29.
Another sticking point is how the key ministries will be parcelled out between the three parties, and how they will accommodate Arthur Mutambara in the new arrangement.
And are we going to have a transitional authority lasting two years as proposed by MDC or a government of National unity lasting five years as demanded by Zanu (PF)?
The South African facilitators of the talks are claiming that the negotiators are now close to a deal, but some media are already talking of a deadlock, with one website now claiming that the Joint Operation Command, which orchestrated the violence that ravaged the country during the disputed residential run-off election, will soon be represented at the negotiations – as it constitutes the real power in Zimbabwe today.
Zanu (PF) officials were quick to deny that JOC chairman Emmerson Mnangagwa would be heading for Pretoria anytime soon.
The website says SA president Thabo Mbeki felt that the JOC was seen as unifying the security forces and made all meaningful decisions as government structures had collapsed. It is widely believed that any deal has to be endorsed by the five generals heading the command team.
We understand Mbeki will be in Harare this week for face-to-face talks with Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to hammer out any sticking points.
We wish them well. The hopes and prayers of most Zimbabweans are with them.
We all need a resolution to the crisis. Sadly it does not appear, as we report elsewhere in this issue, that Zanu (PF) is serious about change or willing to countenance any meaningful transfer of power.
With the continuing violence against MDC supporters, demand for Zanu (PF) cards before people can access food at the newly-established party shops, continued deployment of troops in the rural areas and the continued existence and functioning of torture centres – it is difficult to believe otherwise.
It is tragic that even at this last-ditch stage, Zanu (PF) does not show any intention of lowering the temperature to give peace a chance. We can only hope that Mbeki has a big stick up his sleeve to change this position, and that the inclusion of UN and AU mediators will add impetus to the process if indeed it has stalled.
Word
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. – Ephesians 6, 10-12