Zimbabwe's main opposition political leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly finally agreed to enter into a government of national unity with long time rival 84-year-old Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF. The agreement was the result of a marathon meeting convened by the regional bloc, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Monday to break the impasse between the two leaders amid reports of serious rifts in the MDC over the
decision.
The MDC National Council is supposed to meet Friday in a bid to endorse the decision to join a unity government with Mugabe, a move that will break the impasse in the power sharing deal signed September last year but failing to be implemented over differences in equitable power sharing among the protagonists.
In response to a Zimbabwean online discussion group, MDC Policy Coordinator General Eddie Cross said concessions made by Mugabe at the SADC summit in Pretoria South Africa "went a long way to meeting our
requests."
"I have had a look at the agreement and I think it goes a long way to meeting our requests. I think MDC will accept this deal and that Morgan Tsvangirai will go into government next week."
There have been serious reports of divisions in the MDC Tuesday with another faction led by Secretary General Tendai Biti reportedly opposed to form a unity a government with Mugabe, but MDC sources say
Tsvangirai has realized the long term strategic benefits of joining Mugabe in a unity government.
Statements issued Tuesday soon after SADC meeting sources say were made by a faction aligned to Biti were apparently made without the approval of Tsvangirai.
"Quite clearly, the conclusions reached as reflected in the communiqué fall short of our expectations."
'It is important that finality is be brought to this issue and therefore our national council will meet this weekend to define the party position," reads part of the statement issued to the media.
Regional SADC leaders purportedly pushed Mugabe into making concessions to the MDC, which include the reversal of all executive appointments he made since entering into the power sharing deal with the MDC on September 15.
In a communiqué, SADC leaders put into place a time frame for the formation of the unity government which starts with the passing of a Constitutional Amendment Bill by February 5, the swearing in of Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and the two Deputy ministers by February 11; followed by the swearing in of ministers and deputy ministers on February 13.
Analysts say the MDC National Council meeting on Friday would indicate the clear position to be adopted by the party on whether to join the inclusive government or not.
Meanwhile, Mugabe, in remarks made at Harare International Airport, said Tuesday he hoped the power sharing deal with the opposition MDC would lead to a "new chapter."
"We hope that this will open up a new chapter in our political relations in the country and in structures of government."
It however remains to be seen if the political settlement will be implanted soon and whether Tsvangirai and Mugabe can work together to resuscitate the country's economic fortunes that have been on a down turn for close to a decade now mainly because of political squabbles.
