Zimbabwe rival leaders reach breakthrough

Zimbabwe's rival leaders met Monday and announced they had reached two agreements, offering rare reason for hope after a year of impasse and disappointment.

The factions joined in a unity government said they were forming commissions to oversee human rights, the media and elections.

Members of the coalition formed in February had agreed on the commissions, but deadlocked over their composition.

While Monday's agreement did not touch on the most contentious issues, it will be seen as an encouraging sign of progress by those who argue that Zimbabwe is best served by quiet if slow diplomacy.

A list of media commissioners released later included a former state broadcaster as chairman and the editor of a banned independent newspaper as his deputy. Consultations were still under way on the appointment of heads of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

Outstanding issues include disagreements over the appointment of provincial governors, the central bank chief and attorney general; charges from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party that supporters of President Robert Mugabe continue to abuse human rights; and charges from Mugabe's party that Tsvangirai's group has done too little to persuade the international community to lift sanctions against Mugabe and his top loyalists.

The treason trial of a top Tsvangirai aide also has bedeviled a coalition founded to rescue Zimbabwe from economic and political crisis.

But James Maridadi, spokesman for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, a longtime opposition leader, was upbeat Monday. He said the day's agreements came after Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a party closely allied to Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, or MDC, met for three hours Monday, and that the three would meet again Wednesday to resolve other issues.

Ephraim Masawi, a spokesman for Mugabe's party, said his party was responding to Zimbabwe's neighbors, who have insisted "that we have to work together with the MDC formations in the inclusive government. We hope that they will agree soon on the issue of the removal of sanctions as well." Tsvangirai had become so frustrated he temporarily withdrew from the unity government in October. He returned three weeks later after receiving assurances that South African President Jacob Zuma would intervene.

South African and other regional leaders had pushed for the coalition following a series of inconclusive elections marred by violence blamed on Mugabe's loyalists Tsvangirai has said that Zuma's predecessor took too soft a line on Mugabe. Thabo Mbeki, now replaced by Zuma as regional point man on Zimbabwe, had argued that pushing Mugabe too hard could backfire.

In what was seen as a sign of stepped-up intervention, Zuma appointed two advisers and a special Zimbabwe envoy in November to work with politicians in Zimbabwe. But he has not publicly taken a harder line on Mugabe than did Mbeki.

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The GNU, a Lazarus Like Shabir Shaik this Lazarus are rising from the dead? How often have we heard that. by Geanann on December 22 2009, 11:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

First step A journey of a thousand miles starts with one small step. ...At least this seems to be in the right direction so should not pass without encouragement. Surely this is cause for some cautious optimism? by dweeb on December 22 2009, 12:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

the truly sad part is that mugabe will come out of this smelling like roses. Isn't life a f-cked up thing? by Dave on December 22 2009, 13:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mugabe is still laughing at all of them because they all love him to death That in itself would be a great present for peaceloving democrats who want to stop the rape, destruction, murder,orruption, human rights atrocities in Zimbabwe. I honestly believe the Malema Governmet is doing the same to SA. Just another African failure, . .more as they all say in the West. Mind you the rape, murder, corruption and human rights atrocities might even be worse in SA? Yes? No? certainly rape, murder, and corruption seem to be far worse than even Mugabeland. Oh that Mugabe gets hit by one of those trucks that seem to hit so many of his opponents so often so conveniently. . .less by Comrade on December 22 2009, 22:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ZANUPF never honour agreements If anyone thinks that zanupf are ever going to honour agreements, think again. History proves that they don't. If fact history proved the opposite. This terms of the GPA will never be met because if zanupf complies, they're finished and they know . .more it. ZANUPF are a party which have cause so much death, torture and destruction that they cannot allow the MDC into this partnership. Already the military organs of zanupf are deployed in the countriside. They are ready to suppress the people. Never be fooled by what they say, look at what they are doing on the ground and the truth will set free . .less by Negotiator on December 23 2009, 05:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Let Zimbabwens overcome their own challenges assisted by other Africans Idiots responds in the way they do to this progressive development simply because now Zimbanweans are focused on solving their own problems and challenges. I am so happy that the intervention of other Africans is assisting in long term solutions in Zim . .more land. I think this is good news in deed and focus must be maintained to acheive lasting solutions to the problems of Zimbabwe which has their roots and origin in Europe, in Britain to be specific. Comrade Jacob Zuma, please continue to assist and ensure that Zimbabweans own up and solve their challenges, like Comrade Thabo Mbeki did. I wishi all the people of Zimbabwe good luck in this important road and in celebration of this critical milestone. . .less by Cadre Phathiza wa Kgotsong on December 23 2009, 14:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Let Zimbabwens overcome their own challenges assisted by other Africans? How can Zimbabweans overcome their challenges when OTHER Africans have actively assist Mugabe destroy the country? The only African country that is a true friend of the Zimbabwean people is Botswana. The rest, including South Africa, support Mugabe, not . .more the people. That is why Zimbabwe is where it is today and that is why Africa's leadership must shoulder responsibility for the demise of what was once a great country. . .less by Hapana on December 23 2009, 16:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

responsibility for the demise of what was once a great country. .? Yes , they have blood on their hands. Zimbabwean blood. by Peter Pan on December 23 2009, 20:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cadre Phathiza: a perfect example of f-ed up african thinking. No wonder this is the dark continent by Dave on December 23 2009, 21:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

a solution to a "challenge" The only way Zimbabwe with overcome their current "challenges" and achieve a break through is when Mugabe dies. by Airwolf on December 24 2009, 11:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mugabe is toying with them.... Whoever thinks that Mugabe will give up an inch of his power is either insane or naieve, or both. Morgan was foolish to fall into line by signing the GPA and allowing Mugabe the chance to stick around and recover from his election . .more defeat. Mark my words, Zanu-PF will win the next election (by dishonest means) and Morgan and his MDC lackeys will be back on the streets looking for other employment. . .less by dreadlock on December 24 2009, 16:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gullible MDC Robert Mugabe doesn't share anything with anybody. Period. by Reitz on December 30 2009, 13:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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