We resolved all the outstanding issues and I am sure we should be
progressively solving them as we move forward, Tsvangirai told
reporters as he toured Harare hospital last Thursday.
The MDC leader did not disclose the specifics of the agreement with
Mugabe that he said was reached after almost two hours of talks last
Thursday only saying: We covered a lot of issues, the issue of
governor, permanent secretaries, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and so on.
Mugabe, Tsvangirai and leader Arthur Mutambara, who head the smaller
formation of the MDC formed a power-sharing government to tackle
Zimbabwe's long running political and economic crisis.
But difference over how to share top government posts, continued farm
invasions by supporters of Mugabe's Zanu (PF) party as well as the
detention of scores of MDC activists have continued to stoke up
skepticism over whether the power-sharing deal clinched can stand the
strain given deep seated mistrust among the parties involved.
Analysts say the unity government offers Zimbabwe its best chance in a
decade to end its crisis and begin afresh on the road to sustainable
economic and social recovery while Tsvangirai and the MDC have said
they remain committed to the unity government despite what they say
Mugabe's inconsistencies.
Once a model African economy Zimbabwe is in the grip of an
unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis marked by the world's
highest inflation of 231 million percent as of last July, acute
shortages of food and deepening poverty, amid a cholera epidemic that
has infected more than 80 000 people and killed nearly 4 000 others.
ZANU PF politburo backs unity govt
HARARE – The Zanu (PF) politburo resolved to give full support to the
unity government at a meeting last Wednesday, the first time the inner
cabinet of President Robert Mugabe's party was meeting since formation
of a unity government with the MDC.
Several members of the Communits-style politburo were dropped from
governmnetb to create room for members of the tow MDC formations led by
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara.
All 49 Politburo members attended Wednesday’s crucial meeting.
Zanu (PF)'s deputy spokesman Ephraim Masawi said: "The Politburo was
briefed on how the inclusive government works, the ideas from Zanu (PF)
and the two MDC formations.
The Zanu (PF) Politburo unanimously resolved to proffer full and
unqualified support to the inclusive government in compliance with
resolutions of the SADC summit."
He said the Politburo also discussed national healing. Three ministers
of state — John Nkomo, Sekai Holland, and Gibson Sibanda — have been
appointed to lead the national healing process.
The three ministers all senior members of the three parties involved in the unity government.
"We were told they (ministers of state) will constitute an organ that
will deal with the healing process and reconciliation process," said
Masawi. "We were briefed on how they will work, come up with their
program on national healing so that people start trusting each other
for the benefit of nation."
The Politburo also discussed the re-establishment of PF-Zapu, and the
threats it poses to Zanu (PF). Chairman John Nkomo was tasked to probe
the revival of PF-Zapu and report to the politburo.Â
US ambassador hopeful change coming to Zimbabwe
MUTARE – Unite State (US) ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee has said
he is hopeful that change was coming to Zimbabwe but only if the
inclusive government shows commitment to implement genuine political
and economic reforms.
McGee, who was addressing students and lecturers at Africa University
during commemoration of America’s Black History month, said the world
was the unity government closely and would judge the administration on
its actions.
"Despite all the challenges I remain hopeful that true change is coming
(to Zimbabwe)," McGee said. He added: "I hope that the new unity
government represents a beginning.
If it takes concrete steps to meet the conditions the international
community laid out long ago for reengagement, the United States will be
at the forefront in providing assistance."
The US ambassador said Washington and the rest of the international
community wanted to see restoration of the rule of law, commitment to
the democratic process and respect for human rights, a commitment to
timely and internationally supervised elections, full and equal access
for all Zimbabweans to humanitarian assistance among other key
benchmarks before providing aid.
"If we do not see these signs, we will continue to provide humanitarian relief while pushing for these changes," said McGgee.
Once a model African economy Zimbabwe is in the grip of an
unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis marked by the world's
highest inflation of more than 200 million percent, acute food
shortages and a cholera epidemic that has infected more than 80 000
people and killed nearly 4 000 others.
The Southern African Development Community is looking to provided US$2
billion in aid to Harare but analysts say assistance form the big
economies of the West is vital to any long-term plan to revive
Zimbabwe's economy.
Gono dropped from delegation after Biti protest
BULAWAYO—Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono was last
week dropped from a delegation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
that visited South Africa on Friday after Finance Minister Tendai Biti
protested against his inclusion, sources said.
Biti, who must work closely with Gono as he leads efforts by the new
unity government tries to revive Zimbabwe's comatose economy, is known
to resent the RBZ chief who he has accused on several occasions of
fuelling the country's economic problems through his controversial
policies at the central bank.
Tsvangirai's delegation to South Africa included Biti and Foreign
Affairs Samuel Mumbengegwi. They met South African President and
current chairman of SADC Kgalema Motlanthe, Finance Minister Trevor
Manuel and central bank chief Tito Mboweni to ask for cash to help kick
start Zimbabwe's economic revival.
According to our sources, Gono had been initially included among the
team but had to remain behind after Biti said he would rather not be
part of the trip if it included the RBZ governor.
Biti  didn't  want  Gono go as you  know the two  doesn't Â
see  eye  to  eye, so Zanu PF had to bring  in Mumbegegwi. They
didn't trust Tsvangirai and Biti  to go and  meet the SADC
chairperson in their absence said a source who spoke on condition of
he was not named.
Numerous efforts to obtain a comment from Biti, Mumbegegwi and Gono to authenticate the story were unsuccessful.
Discord between Tsvangirai's office and Mugabe over British evacuation
HARARE – Discord emerged last week between Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's office and President Robert Mugabe's office over the
planned evacuation of over 700 elderly British nationals from Zimbabwe
with the two offices giving different reasons why London had decided to
airlift its citizens.
The planned evacuation of over Britons aged 70 or over has been seen in
some quarters as seen as a vote of no confidence in Zimbabwe's newly
formed inclusive government.
However, Minister of State in Tsvangirai's office Gorden Moyo said last
week that the evacuation was not linked to Zimbabwe's new government
but was rather a social welfare issue between Britain and its citizens.
However, Mugabe offered a different explanation, charging that the
evacuation was part of Britain's vindictive policy against Zimbabwe,
adding that Harare would be quite happy to assist the Britain to take
back its nationals.
"I don't see any reason why anyone would want old people?" Mugabe said.
"I understand they also want the young ones, the children. What about
the parents of those children. What happens to the rest? Why can't the
British say we want all our British people out of Zimbabwe? We will
assist them in getting them out
Mugabe who accuses Britain of seeking to oust him from power said
Harare was even prepared to assist London dig up the remains of its
citizens buried in Zimbabwe if it so wished.