Pressure mounts for MDC to accept deal

Measures spelt out by SADC on November 9 in South Africa for Zimbabwe to meet requirements for an agreement that outlines a strategy for economic recovery, peace and political stability has been swiftly rejected by the MDC, which accused Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party of trying to seize the lion’s share of important ministries and relegating the MDC to the role of junior partner.

The MDC leader insists he must have exclusive control of the police to counter-balance Mugabe’s control of the army.

The SADC executive secretary, Tomaz Salamao, said now that broad principles for setting Zimbabwe on a path of development and unity had been defined by the SADC, “significant pressure” would be placed on errant parties to the power-sharing agreement.

Salamao said SADC had come up with some sort of compromise for the political stalemate in Zimbabwe that the Ministry of Home Affairs must be co-managed by Zanu (PF) and the main MDC.

Salamao said the efficacy of the arrangement would be reviewed after six months by all the parties, the region, the African Union (AU) and the facilitator, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki. He described the deal as unusual but necessary, adding it was imperative that the inclusive government is formed immediately in Zimbabwe.

The summit ran for more than 12 hours discussing Zimbabwe’s political impasse and the violence in eastern Congo.

I am disappointed by SADC’s failure to consummate and implement the global political agreement,” Tsvangirai said. A great opportunity has been missed by SADC to bring an end to the Zimbabwean crisis.”

The resolution calling for joint control of the Home Affairs ministry – which controls Zimbabwe’s police and voter registration – was backed by all 15 members of SADC.

Tsvangirai said that his dispute with Mugabe was not only about the ministry of Home Affairs, but striking a fair balance of power in the unity government.

Arthur Mutambara, leader of the breakaway MDC faction, said his group supported the SADC compromise. He said “Tsvangirai is in essence defying the region and the AU.”

A senior African diplomat said SADC would step up pressure on non-compliant parties in Zimbabwe to achieve stability. Tsvangirai said he hoped the issue would be referred to the African Union. The MDC position for “responsibility with authority” enjoys widespread support in the AU from powerful countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Botswana.

Analysts said that SADC had clearly demonstrated its bias and South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe warned that the parties should put the people first and that the deal offered the only hope for Zimbabwe to escape the economic crisis.

Political analysts say SADC has no capacity to arm-twist the parties through tough measures, such as sanctions, to force an agreement. The heads of state of Botswana and Zambia, the most outspoken regional critics of Mugabe, did not attend the summit.

Botswana’s President, Ian Khama has called for fresh elections as the only viable way to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis, and asserts he sees no way a unity government can work given the distrust that persists between the parties. He has suggested a transitional authority mandated with preparing for fresh, free and fair internationally supervised presidential elections in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa has reacted angrily to the proposal, warning the suggestion constitutes “extreme provocation” under international law.