THE inter-party talks to save the unity government, which adjourned last week due to the Zanu PF congress, are set to resume on Friday, amid reports that an announcement on progress in the talks will be made by the principals this week. President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara last week received reports from their party negotiators.

They were expected to make the announcement after their traditional meeting tomorrow but Mugabe and Tsvangirai would be in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the climate change conference.

The talks were adjourned last week to allow Zanu PF negotiators Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche to attend their party’s 5th National People’s Congress, which ended in Harare yesterday.

The two negotiators from the Mutambara-led MDC, Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, are also currently out of the country on government business.  MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti is also out of the country.
Last week, South African President Jacob Zuma dispatched his facilitation team of former ministers Charles Nqakula, Lindiwe Zulu and Mac Maharaj to Harare for a second meeting with the negotiators.

Zulu yesterday said they had presented a report to Zuma, who would now relay it to Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, who chairs the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. “After our last meeting, we reported to President Zuma, and he will now report to President Guebuza of Mozambique,” she said.

“We have not finished our work. But our next visit can only be determined by what is happening that side (the parties meeting in Harare).”

There are growing fears that with the way the negotiations have been dragging on, the process which was supposed to have lasted not more than 30 days would now spill into next year. The talks could be further delayed if Mugabe decides to go on his annual holiday in January.

But Zulu insisted the process was still on track, although she would not indicate when they expect the parties to be through.
Some of the thorny issues include Mugabe’s refusal to reverse his unilateral appointment of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.
Last night the Zanu PF congress resolved that their negotiators must not back down on Gono, Tomana and security forces.
They want a constitution that guarantees the gains of the liberation struggle.
The veteran ruler is also refusing to swear in MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett as Deputy Minister of Agriculture

By The Standard