Fresh hope for Zimbabwe unity government

The endorsement came a few hours after the ruling Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations set up a joint committee to monitor the September 15 power-sharing pact, a sign that the parties were close to implementing the pact.

South African mediator, Mr Sydney Mufumadi said the establishment of the team drawn from the three parties that signed the agreement showed that a regional timetable to set up the new government was on course.

 "It is the first structure to be formed in terms of the global political agreement and it demonstrates the commitment of the parties to ensure that what they agreed to does come to pass," Mr Mufumadi said.

A Southern African Development Community (SADC) extra-ordinary summit in South Africa laid out a timeline for President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF and the two MDC formations to set up a joint government by February 13.

Excited supporters mobbed Mr Tsvangirai, as he emerged from his party’s headquarters in central Harare after announcing to journalists that his party’s national council had endorsed SADC’s time line.

There were fears the national council of the MDC would reject the timetable after indications that some hardliners were opposed to any power sharing deal with Mr Mugabe.

"In accordance with the party’s constitution, the political agreement we signed on September 15 and in the best interests of the welfare of all Zimbabweans, the MDC has resolved to form an inclusive government with Zanu PF and MDC-M," Mr Tsvangirai said.

But he cautioned that by joining the inclusive government, Zimbabwe’s multifaceted crisis was not over.

"Instead our participation signifies that we have chosen to continue the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe in a new arena," he said. "This agreement is a significant milestone in our journey to democracy but it does not signify that we have arrived at our destination. We are committed to establishing a democratic Zimbabwe regardless of how long that struggle takes us."

 Zimbabwe is facing a devastating economic crisis that has paralysed government operations and left three quarters of the population facing starvation.

 Analysts say a unity government would be the only solution to the crises blamed on the country’s isolation by the international community. – Saturady Nation