Munyaradzi Mugadza, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
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 confirmed that the summit would be held on Sunday November 9. “It’s on Sunday,” he said, but added “We are still working on the venue.”
The SADC troika held in Harare on October 27 could not solve the stalemate forcing the SADC mediator, Thabo Mbeki, to bring the dispute before SADC leaders, who are divided over the Zimbabwean crisis.
In a communiqué released after the meeting, both leaders concurred that they remain divided over the cabinet posts, especially the home affairs ministry which oversees the police.
It had been suggested that the ministry of Home Affairs should be rotated among the parties but Mugabe and Tsvangirai rubbished the suggestion.
The Movement for Democratic Change said Tsvangirai would be attending the SADC summit despite government’s reluctance to renew his expired passport so as to increase pressure on Mugabe in power since 1980.
Party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said, “Tsvangirai would be going to the meeting, and we hope that the summit will help to break the impasse. The SADC has to use its leverage, especially on Mugabe to see sense and to see that people are suffering,” Chamisa said.
“The suffering of the people of Zimbabwe places a duty and obligation on all (political) players, both in Zimbabwe and the region, to try to provide relief by resolving this issue fairly and amicably,” said Chamisa.
Zimbabweans across the country are keeping their fingers crossed that something “tangible” comes out of the SADC summit and end the ten year old economic turmoil that has gripped the economy.
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