Motlanthe, Khama to discuss Zimbabwe crisis

The crisis in Zimbabwe has been worsened by the outbreak of cholera,
which has already spread to South Africa, as well as by the influx of
refugees into South Africa and Botswana. The two leaders will try to
put pressure on Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF and the main opposition
parties to agree on the allocation of cabinet posts. The issue remains
the main obstacle to the implementation of the country’s power-sharing
agreement. This is the first official working visit to the country by
Botswana’s leader ever since he came into office last year. It is not
clear at this stage about the main focus of the talks between President
Motlanthe and his neighbouring counterpart. However observers say the
two leaders will try to put pressure on Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF and
the main opposition parties to agree on the allocation of cabinet
portfolios. The South African government announced last week that it
was withholding agricultural aid to Zimbabwe until a representative
unity government is in place.