l'm a zimbabwean journalist based in Harare
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Mugadza
SA: No mercy for Zimbabwe
Days when Zimbabwe was treated with kids' gloves are over, South Africa has said. SA's decision to take a tough stance towards the former "bread basket of South Africa" comes ahead of Sunday's SADC summit on the crisis in Zimbabwe. It is still facing difficulties forming an all inclusive government. - The 15-member SADC bloc seeks to end the tension between Zimbabwe’s political leaders who have been worlds apart over the allocation of key ministries following the signing of the historic power-sharing deal on September 15, 2008.
In a press briefing on Thursday, South African spokesperson Themba Maseko said his government would depart from its quiet diplomacy towards Zimbabwe since th…Zimbabwe talks resume Sunday
SADC leaders would meet in South Africa on Sunday to resolve the political stalemate between Zimbabwe's political leaders over the allocation of key ministries after the SADC troika on security, justice and defense failed to reach a consensus on October 27. - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, MorganTsvangirai of the mainstream MDC and Arthur Mutambara of the breakaway MDC signed a power sharing deal on September 15 in which they all agreed to work together but the formation of the inclusive government have been stalled following disagreements over the allocation of key ministries. Mugabe wants to grab all the key ministries.
South Africa’s foreign ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa…Zim: Zanu PF accused of altering document
Zanu PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa admitted he altered the power agreement signed on September 15 and "accidentally" deleting some clauses of the power sharing deal. The secretary general and chief negotiator of the breakaway MDC, Welshman Ncube confirmed that the deal was tampered with. - Ncube quashed rumours that he together with Chinamasa altered the document and told that it was Zanu PF negotiator, Patrick Chinamasa who made the changes to the power deal that seeks to end the economic and political situation in the country, according to SWRadio Africa.
Last week, rumours had it that Chinamasa, Ncube and Thabo Mbeki’s own representative, Mujanku Gumbi, had teamed up and …Zimbabwe: Allies agree to disagree
The power sharing deal signed between Zanu PF and two formations of the MDC was a compromised deal, Zimbabwe's labour movement, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) and the Movement for Democratic Change have agreed. - Speaking to reporters on Monday, ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo said after discussions with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on 27 September at a local hotel, it was agreed that the deal was a flawed process. “After a briefing with Mr. Tsvangirai, it was agreed there were some differences and some issues would be subject to further discussion,” said Matombo.
Matombo said Tsvangirai made it clear that “this was not the best he hoped for, but a compromise ag…UK: World ready to assist Zimbabwe
The world stood ready to assist Zimbabwe with its political and economic reconstruction only if the power deal reflects the will of the people, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband have stated. The deal was reached on September 15 between rivals - Zanu PF and the two factions of the MDC. - Soon after the signing of the power sharing deal, the European Union and her allies said they would not lift the sanctions until they assess the deal regarded as the only way out off the Zimbabwean crisis.
Miliband said aide will only be channeled to Zimbabwe if the new government to be formed reflects a new approach adding that financial and travel sanctions imposed by European countries and…Zimbabwe gets 55m Euro aide
The Zimbabwean government secured 55 million euros in credit from Egypt-based African Export-Import Bank only a week after the official signing of the power sharing deal. The credit funds will be channeled to the importation of grain and oil which has been in short supply, the Sunday Mail reported. - The credit facility was secured after a presentation by the country's central bank chief, Gideon Gono, during Afreximbank's annual general meeting in Morocco. Afreximbank’s senior director, B. Oramah, in a letter written to the Reserve Bank Governor Gono, said the credit deal was aimed at assisting Zimbabwe, currently suffering from a massive economic crisis.
Afreximbank is a multilater…Zimbabwe outdoors new bank note
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe issued a new $1000 bank note on Wednesday to harness the incessant cash shortage that has characterized the country for a couple of years. The new note comes after the central bank introduced a new family of notes in August after he slashed ten zeros to ease transactions. - The central bank said: “Introducing the new 1000 Zimbabwe dollar note was for your (Zimbabweans) convenience.” It had imposed maximum withdrawal limits of $500 dollars which hardly buy nothing as a measure of controlling inflation which they believe was being fuelled by the continuous printing of money.
However as a result, thousands of people are spending most of the time queui…EU: Zimbabwe sanctions remain unchanged
The European Union has welcomed the power sharing deal signed on Monday but said it will not change the targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe as they are still assessing the deal. It would see MDC's Tsvangirai and his long time rival Mugabe working together to resuscitate the Zimbabwean economy. - “We welcome very much the agreement and we hope we see the agreement implemented,” EU foreign policy Chief, Javier Solana said. “The sanctions for the moment will not be changed today, the decision will be probably taken in October,” he added in Brussels.
“We have to analyze it (the deal) in more detail,” said Solana. “We are still not sure what is going …Zimbabwe opens new chapter
Zimbabweans are celebrating a major breakthrough ever in their political history as a power-sharing deal was reached on Thursday, just when the US were remembering September 11, 2001. Zimbabwe's political rivals would seal the deal on Monday to end the turmoil. - Announcing the much-waited outcome of the talks, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was in Harare since Monday said a pact had been reached at last. “An agreement has been reached on all items on the agenda and all of them endorsed the document,” he said as he emerged from the hotel.
He added: “We never paid any attention to criticism about quiet diplomacy. All diplomacy is quiet, if it isn’t quiet, …Zimbabwe resorts to foreign currency
Goods would soon be sold in foreign currencies as part the Zimbabwean government's plan to curb inflation which is now 20 million percent. Traders have been frequently visiting neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana to buy groceries due to the rising cost of living in the country. - “We have watched and observed with heavy hearts the suffering of fellow Zimbabweans as they wait at the borders as they bring in basic commodities since they are scarcely available on the local market” the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono said.
He said local producers would now export their products to licensed retailers and wholesalers who will be selling the goo…Zimbabwe talks hit crescendo
Mugabe and rival Tsvangirai hope to address outstanding issues on Wednesday. The two parties are optimistic that a positive outcome would be reached at the power-sharing talks ongoing in the capital Harare. It is reported that Mugabe has agreed to become a ceremonial president under a new deal. - The mediator, Thabo Mbeki arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday after which the power-sharing talks resumed. The three principals - Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC and Arthur Mutambara of the breakaway MDC - are optimistic that the deal would be endorsed on Wednesday.
"As you are aware these talks have been dragging on for some time now, but I must say that there is a positive deve…Tsvangirai: Give me more power or forget
Tsvangirai has called for fresh polls in Zimbabwe under the watch of international observers if President Mugabe remains reluctant to cede power in an effort to end the country's crisis. He said it would be better for the MDC to pull out of power-sharing talks than accept an unsatisfactory agreement. - The opposition leader said on Sunday that he would not be forced to sign a “suicidal deal” that would change nothing but aggravate the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe. He was speaking at the Movement for Democratic Change's ninth anniversary rally.
Tsvangirai said his signature does not only represent his interests but that of the people of Zimbabwe who voted Mugabe out in t…AU: Share power equally in Zimbabwe
African Union has pressed for an equal power sharing deal in Zimbabwe to save the country from plunging further into serious political and economic turmoil. The continental body wants the two largest political formations - Zanu PF and Movement for Democratic Change to break the stalemate now. - Tanzania which currently holds chairmanship of the AU, said a rapid resolution of the power sharing deal should be agreed to bring normalcy to a country once a basket of Southern Africa.
Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said AU wants to see a 50-50
power-sharing deal aimed at giving powers to the incumbent Robert Mugabe and MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai.
"There is a problem and we stil…Zim business bemoan talks collapse
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has called on Zimbabwe's rival parties in the negotiating parties to quickly finalise the talks to find a long lasting solution to the political and economic standstill as this had triggered a further business decline in the country. - CZI, president Callisto Jokonya said in a weekly newspaper that the economy has continued to plunge deeper in an abyss since the talks were adjourned.
Since the collapse of the talks this month, the prices of basic foodstuffs and services have escalated beyond the reach of many while companies and industries continue to register low capacity of production.
"Business is concerned with the delay of the talks …Mugabe to appoint cabinet in breach of mou
President Robert Mugabe who was jeered and booed by opposition Movement for Democratic Change legislators while opening the 7th session of the parliament on Tuesday is expected to continue breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) accord by appointing his cabinet soon. - The state owned mouthpiece, The Herald reported on Wednesday that the incumbent leader was in the process of naming his cabinet and end the political and economic situation which he has failed to deal with during the last ten years.
At a lunch to mark the official opening of the Parliament which did not live to it's expectation, President Mugabe said:
"We shall soon be setting up a Government but "I do not know wh…Mugabe opens new Parliament
President Robert Mugabe opened the 7th session of parliament on Tuesday in defiance of opposition Movement for Democratic Change MPs who said Mugabe had no right to open the Parliament. - In his speech, Mugabe said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was expected to sign the power sharing deal and end the economic and political crisis in the country. However, legislators from the Movement for Democratic Change still basking in the glory of winning the Speaker of Parliament chanted that Zanu PF is rotten adding that they have a pact with the people of Zimbabwe.
On Monday, the opposition parliamentarians had revealed that they would not attend the opening of the 7th session of parliament. …Zim: Zanu PF support MDC man for speaker
Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU PF decided not to field a candidate for the powerful speaker of parliament post, fearing a disappointing beating at the hands of the MDC. They then decided to support a candidate from the smaller faction of the MDC, Paul Themba Nyathi, in an effort to neutralize the main MDC's hold on power in the country. - However, the move proved costly as Nyathi lost to MDC national chairman Lovemore Moyo, who polled a total of 110 votes against Nyathi's 98. Even tactical moves by the police to reduce the number of MDC MPs could not help's presence
Simple calculations from the outcome of the poll indicate that at least two or three Zanu PF MPs voted for the MDC chairman i…Mugabe names ministers, contravenes accord
President Robert Mugabe was at his game again on Sunday when he appointed eight resident ministers and governors ahead of the parliamentary swearing in ceremony on Monday despite the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). - Zanu PF chief negotiator and loosing candidate in the March 29 harmonised election, Patrick Chinamasa bounced back as non-constituency senator together with former Speaker of Parliament John Nkomo and vice president Joseph Musika.
Mugabe also retained a number of loosing candidates in the March elections to boost his support in the lower and upper houses. Former minister of Education and Culture and newly elected headman for a Wedza Village, Aneas Chigweder…
