SOUTH AFRICA: Leaders open regional summit on Zimbabwe, to break a deadlock over allocation of cabinet posts which prevented formation of a power-sharing government

Record ID: 455282

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Leaders open regional summit on Zimbabwe, to break a deadlock over allocation of cabinet posts which prevented formation of a power-sharing government
  • Date: 9th November 2008
  • Summary: (BN09) JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (NOVEMBER 9, 2008) (REUTERS) SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) ARRIVAL OF VARIOUS SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) LEADERS AND OFFICIALS MDC FACTION LEADER ARTHUR MUTAMBARA SEATED WITH HIS DELEGATION MDC LEADER MORGAN TSVANGIRAI SEATED WITH HIS DELEGATION SADC CHAIRMAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE ADDRESSING SUMMIT ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE LISTENING MEDIA AND OFFICIALS SEATED MORE OF SADC LEADERS AND OFFICIALS SEATED AND LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE, SAYING: "The political leadership in Zimbabwe owe it to the people of Zimbabwe and the region to show political maturity by putting the interests of Zimbabwe first, therefore we urge the three parties to build on the achievement made thus far, and reach an agreement on the outstanding issues, including the Ministry of Home Affairs." ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE LISTENING MORE OF SADC LEADERS AND OFFICIALS SADC LEADERS AND OFFICIALS APPLAUDING
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVABQXQWKVVPXMTED4D39EURH2TZ
  • Story Text: Southern African leaders met in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday (November 9) for a regional summit on Zimbabwe, hoping to break deadlock over allocation of cabinet posts threatening a power-sharing deal.
    The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting is aimed at solving an impasse between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai over allocating cabinet posts under a power-sharing deal reached in September.
    South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said in opening remarks that the agreement signed by Zimbabwe's political rivals is the only hope for the country to turn around its collapsed economy.
    Mugabe and Tsvangirai were both attending the summit.
    The South African leader said there was some disappointment that the Zimbabwean parties had not agreed on the allocation of cabinet posts yet.

    "The political leadership in Zimbabwe owe it to the people of Zimbabwe and the region to show political maturity by putting the interests of Zimbabwe first, therefore we urge the three parties to build on the achievement made thus far, and reach an agreement on the outstanding issues, including the Ministry of Home Affairs," Motlanthe told the summit.
    Past meetings of regional heads of state have failed to produce a breakthrough and there were new signs that the parties may face another round of difficult negotiations.
    Tsvangirai's MDC said last week Mugabe's ZANU-PF party had put a "full stop" to negotiations on forming a government by carrying out what it said was widespread violence.
    Zimbabwean state media reported on Sunday that Mugabe's government will not change its stance on key positions in a power-sharing cabinet, saying the opposition should accept joint control of the interior ministry.
    Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the state-run Sunday Mail the deadlock in the formation of a power-sharing government would only end if Tsvangirai agreed to jointly control the ministry, which oversees the police.
    South Africa's government has also said it would take a tough stand at the summit. This was a sharp change from the style of former President Thabo Mbeki, whose policy of quiet diplomacy as official mediator was criticised as ineffective. It is not clear what practical steps SADC could take to force an agreement.
    Zimbabwe's economic crisis has forced millions of its citizens to flee the country, with an estimated three million Zimbabweans in neighbouring South Africa alone.
    Ties between Zimbabwe and neighbouring Botswana have also become strained after Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama said a new election was the only solution to the crisis.
    Establishing a unity government is seen as critical to reversing economic meltdown in Zimbabwe, where inflation is officially 231 million percent.
    Zimbabweans are struggling to survive amid widespread shortages of meat, milk and other basic commodities as a result of the collapse of the agricultural sector. Even under government price controls, the cost of bread is doubling every week. A loaf currently costs 250,000 Zimbabwean dollars, equivalent to 1 U.S. dollar (USD) on the black market and 250 USD on the official market. An average government employee's monthly income will buy about four loaves.
    The country is dependent on food handouts and malnutrition is on the rise. Tsvangirai, who would become prime minister under the power-sharing deal, has accused ZANU-PF of trying to seize the lion's share of important ministries in order to relegate the MDC to the role of junior partner.
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