Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Must Overcome Many Pitfalls - Analysts
Observers warn that there are forces which are not at the table that must be reckoned with, such as Zimbabwe's Joint Operations Command
Power-sharing talksbetween Zimbabwe’s ruling party and opposition continued for a second day Friday at anundisclosed location in Pretoria amid mixed signals and reports as to justhow difficult the task facing negotiators for the two sides is likely to be. The South African daily newspaper Business Day said a deal could be reached “soon,” citingunnamed sources on both sides said to be familiar with the talks. “The deal is basicallydone, but what remains are a few issues of detail, implementation and logistics,” the newspaper quoted one unnamed source as saying. However, an article in the state-controlled Herald newspaper reporting on day one of the talks seemed to suggest ZANU-PF istaking a tough stance and drawing lines in the sand. The articlesaid the outcome of the June 27 run-off ballot - the widelycondemned re-election of President Robert Mugabe in a single-candidate race – was “non-negotiable.” According to the Herald, the ruling party politburo said Mr. Mugabe would have to be the onewho appointed a new government. The Herald said ZANU-PF politburo "noted that there has to be a figure who appointsthe all-inclusive government envisaged in the memorandum of understanding" signed by ZANU-PF and the two opposition formations on Monday, paving the way for the talks. "And that figure is President Mugabe, who won the run-off," the Herald stated. It quoted a ruling party source as saying that, "There has to be a figure who creates the all-inclusive government.All that program has to be given to someone." Other political analysts agree there is a lot onthe table in Pretoria as negotiators for the two sides square off, and that despite expressions of good will early this week when party leaders signed a threshold document, all sides may be expected to bargain hard. Sonotwithstanding reports that a deal is close to being concluded, they say there are plenty ofpotential pitfalls for the discussions which are only just beginning. Observers alsowarn that there are forces which are not at the table that must be reckonedwith - for instance Zimbabwe's Joint Operations Command unifying the security forces, which some say has become thereal power in the land as government structures collapse. Some say the JOC orchestrated the violence that ravaged the country in recent months. Wetherell and Makumbe argue that for talks tosucceed, political violence must stop, and that the ruling party politiburo must not set terms for the discussions in Pretoria.