Tsvangirai refuses to sign pact

  1. Posted on Thursday 14 August 2008 - 12:54
    Mugadza
    Munyaradzi Mugadza, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
    The power sharing talks between Zimbabwe political rivals Zanu PF and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) continue to be in limbo after Morgan Tsvangirai refused to sign the power sharing and walked out of the negotiating room at a local hotel.
    mugabe_tsvangirai_send_by_mugadza
    Morgan Tsvangirai said the power sharing deal he is being forced to endorse does not reflect the will of the people. Tsvangirai's reluctance follows a five-hour meeting on Monday and a marathon session on Sunday that lasted more than 13 hours.

    The state owned newspaper, The Herald reported that Robert Mugabe and leader of the smaller faction of the MDC had signed the power sharing deal paving way for Robert Mugabe to open the 7th session of Parliament and announce his cabinet ministers.

    But Mutambara denied the claims saying the tripartite negotiations are still continuing meaning all the three parties should endorse the agreement before they think of anything else.

    In a statement, Tsvangirai said he knew that the talks would be difficult to conclude because of Robert Mugabe's reluctance to cede power to opposition leader and winner of the March 29 elections.

    However, the talks were adjourned on Wednesday because of Tsvangirai's refusal to sign the power sharing deal that will do nothing to emancipate the suffering Zimbabweans.

    Sources privy to the power sharing talks revealed that the three parties have agreed on a number of issues apart from the leader of the unity government.

    The source said Mugabe does not want to cede power to Tsvangirai and let him become the executive prime minister vested with all the powers to rule and appoint his cabinet.

    Political analysts have warned that the talks might collapse but MDC- Tsvangirai Secretary General Tendai Biti said "The talks have not collapsed. It's just a time out."

    Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said any power-sharing
    arrangement in Zimbabwe that does not include Morgan Tsvangirai would be a
    farce.

    We know that Mr. Mutambara has a small breakaway group of the MDC, they have been involved in the talks as well, but any outcome which emerged which did not involve Mr. Tsvangirai would effectively be a farce, he said.

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