By Stanley Gama and Hans Pienaar
Harare - Zimbabwe's delicately balanced power-sharing deal can now be saved only by Thabo Mbeki, after Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai announced that negotiations over the allocation of ministries would resume only in the presence of the facilitator.
But the former president's spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga, on Thursday said no trip to Zimbabwe was being planned. "If and when Mr Mbeki goes to Zimbabwe, I will issue a statement."
President Kgalema Motlanthe's spokesperson, Themba Maseko, on Thursday told a press briefing he had sent a message to Southern African Development Community leaders that Mbeki would still be available as mediator and that the South African government continued to support the process.
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According to department of foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa, Mbeki would travel to Zimbabwe soon to assist in the mediation - clarifying that this would be on the same lines as when he was president and served as the SADC-appointed facilitator.
Rumours in diplomatic circles that Mbeki was stalling because he was looking for funding were laid to rest, after Motlanthe's administration was quoted by the SABC as saying all the necessary resources would be provided.
Speaking at a news conference at his Harare home on Thursday, Tsvangirai, who is set to become prime minister in the deal, confirmed that nothing had moved in his negotiations with President Robert Mugabe.
"There has been no progress made on this entire section, as ministries can only be negotiated comprehensively and not individually. It is not true to say we are left with two ministries to negotiate, as (they) would have an effect on the allocation of the rest.
"In this regard we have declared a deadlock and therefore the process cannot move forward except in the presence of the facilitator," he said, without naming Mbeki.
The MDC wanted an allocation of the 31 ministries "that allows us to deal with the current economic crisis, while at the same time ensuring that we guarantee the basic freedom for our people as well as democratise our society".
Also outstanding is the allocation of governors, which was done before the deal was signed.
"We have communicated this position to the African Union and SADC, as well as to the facilitator, and have confidence that our African brothers will do everything in their power to ensure that this issue is resolved with speed," said Tsvangirai.
Although Tsvangirai refused to divulge what action his party would take if Mbeki fails to break the deadlock, the understanding is that the deal will collapse as Mugabe would have to form a cabinet without the opposition party.
Mugabe is said to be demanding 15 key ministries, leaving the rest to be shared by Tsvangirai and the smaller of the MDC.
Zanu-PF negotiator Patrick Chinamasa has scoffed at calls for Mbeki to get involved, saying it was not necessary. - Independent Foreign Service
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Star on October 10, 2008
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