Townshipvibes

Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa has expressed regret that the party signed a power-sharing agreement with Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF, without agreeing first on the make-up of the Unity government.

Do I hear anyone saying we told you so? My friend Sdhula once said the MDC made a mistake in getting into talks with Mugabe his Zanu PF party. They can not be trusted, and now they are just showing us that they don’t even care how much Zimbabweans are suffering because of their mismanagement of the country’s resources. (MDC yaka kikiswa bhora re simbi)

Read more from News24 on what Chamisa had to say on South African Radio:

Speaking on South African radio about the three-week delay in the implementation of the historic September 15 agreement, MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said he thought the party’s “big mistake” was to have signed a deal before the negotiations had been concluded.

Hopes for an end to Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis had been high when autocratic President Robert Mugabe agreed to share power with his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai in a deal brokered by former South African president Thabo Mbeki.

Under the deal, Mugabe remains president with reduced powers and Tsvangirai becomes prime minister.

Three weeks later, fears that the deal could fall apart are mounting as Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and the MDC remain at loggerheads on how to share ministerial posts between them.

The bare-bones September agreement merely states that Zanu-PF is to get 15 ministries in a 31-ministry cabinet, Tsvangirai’s MDC is to get 13 and a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara gets three.

Despite widespread reports before the signing that the parties had agreed that the MDC would gain control of key ministries such as home affairs, which controls the police, and finance, and that Zanu-PF would retain defence, among others, the MDC says there was never any such agreement.

Early last week, Mugabe had said he expected the government to be finalized by the weekend and that only four ministries were still in contention. But later talks between the 84-year-old leader and Tsvangirai, 56, ended without a breakthrough.

Accusing Zanu-PF of wanting to retain its stranglehold on power, the MDC has referred the disagreement to the Southern African Development Community, which deployed Mbeki as a mediator.

“We are very clear that there hasn’t been any progress,” Chamisa said.

“Zanu-PF are resorting to propaganda, misinformation, misleading the public, trying to portray a kind of picture where things are moving,” Chamisa accused.

Since the agreement, Mbeki has been ousted by the ruling African National Congress as South Africa’s president.

SADC has endorsed him to remain on as mediator in Zimbabwe, but Mbeki has not yet returned try to shore up the deal, which is seen as crucial to salvaging Zimbabwe’s battered economy.

Western governments are standing by to inject millions of dollars of aid and investment into Zimbabwe but only if a credible MDC-dominated government is installed. – Sapa-dpa

So sad isn’t it. Why are politicians so heartless? Are they living in a different Zimbabwe from everyone else? If they can see all this suffering, why can’t they put aside their political differences for the sake of the poor Zimbabweans?

Feel Free to share your views by posting your comments.

President Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara signed the deal that allows the creation of a new coalition government that Zimbabweans hope will end the current political and economic crisis in the country. The deal was signed in Harare yesterday.
Robert Mugabe remains the President and head of state, Morgan Tsvangirai is the new Prime Minister and Arthur Mutambara becomes deputy prime minister.

But what else is in the power-sharing agreement?

There is no doubt this agreement will only be meaningful to Zimbabweans if it brings change and better way of life than what we have been subjected to over the past years under Robert Mugabe’s administration.

1. There will be two vice-presidents from Zanu PF. Robert Mugabe’s party retains the two posts that were created following the 1987 Unity Accord between Zanu and Zapu. There will be two deputy prime ministers, one from Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC and the one from Arthur Mutambara’s MDC.

2. Zimbabwe will have a cabinet of 31 ministers, 15 minsters from Zanu PF, 13 from Tsvangirai’s MDC and three from Mutambara’s MDC.

3. There will be 15 deputy ministers, eight from Zanu PF, six from Tsvangirai’s MDC and one from Mutambara’s MDC.

Here is an extract from the state controlled Herald paper on some of the main points of the agreement.

According to the agreement, the President shall chair Cabinet, exercise executive authority, can — subject to the Constitution — declare war and make peace and can proclaim or terminate martial law.

This means that the President remains Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

The President shall also chair the National Security Council, shall appoint the two Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers and their deputies “pending the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 19 as agreed by the parties”.

The President could also “in consultation with the Prime Minister dissolve Parliament”, and “must be kept fully informed by the Prime Minister on the general conduct of Government business”.

The agreement also states that President Mugabe retains the authority to accredit, receive and recognise diplomatic agents and consular officers and appoint independent Constitutional Commissions and other service and executive commissions.

The authority to make the above appointments means that the President effectively remains the Head of State.

The Prime Minister will also exercise executive authority, chair the Council of Ministers and be the Deputy Chair of Cabinet.

“(The Prime Minister) shall oversee the formulation of Government policies by the Cabinet (and) . . . shall ensure that the Ministers develop appropriate implementation plans to give effect to the policies decided by Cabinet.

“In this regard, the Ministers will report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans.”

Mr Tsvangirai will additionally be responsible for ensuring the necessary legislation to enable Government to carry out its duties and shall be a member of the National Security Council.

The Prime Minister, therefore, becomes the leader of Government business in Parliament.

The Prime Minister will be required to report regularly to the President and Parliament.

“To ensure that the Prime Minister properly discharges his responsibility to oversee the implementation of the work of Government, there shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of all Cabinet Ministers,” the agreement reads.

The Council of Ministers will assess the implementation of Cabinet decisions and assist the Prime Minister, and make progress reports to Cabinet on policy implementation, among other responsibilities.

Three Cabinet ministers — one each per party — may be appointed from outside the Members of Parliament.

“The three Ministers so appointed shall become Members of the House of Assembly and shall have the right to sit, speak and debate in Parliament, but shall not be entitled to vote.”

Apart from the five Senators that President Mugabe is constitutionally allowed to appoint, the three parties will nominate a further three each to be appointed by the President.

The parties agreed that for the next year starting from the signing day, there shall be no by-elections if or

when parliamentary seats fall vacant since elections by their nature are confrontational.

The parties agreed that “only the party holding that seat prior to vacancy occurring shall be entitled to nominate and field a candidate in that (vacant) constituency”.

In effect, this means no seats in Parliament or in any local authority will change hands until this time next year.

A Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to be composed of four senior members from Zanu-PF and four senior members from each of the two MDC formations will oversee the implementation of the agreement.

On the economic side, the parties agreed to prioritise stability and growth through the creation of a National Economic Council.

Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations unanimously agreed that sanctions were hurting the economy, saying that “all forms of measures and sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted in order to facilitate a sustainable solution to the challenges that are currently facing Zimbabwe”.

Like many other Zimbabweans I had hopes and dreams when I was going to school, my parents worked so hard to send me to school. Those hopes and dreams were shuttered by the Robert Mugabe regime when I had just started working and was forced to spend the last few years as an economic refugee in a foreign country. My only wish now is that this agreement brings an end to all the troubles that we are currently experiencing.

I look forward to a people’s government, a government which put people first. I look forward to go back to a better Zimbabwe. Is this agreement the answer to our troubles? Only time will tell.

Feel free to share your views on this article.

Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara have signed the historic power-sharing deal that is expected to end the current crisis in Zimbabwe. I surely hope this deal will open up a new era in Zimbabwe.

If things workout I will start planning on going back to Zimbabwe, but time will tell. What was your reaction to the signing of the deal? Feel free to share your views.

President Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara have signed the historic power-sharing deal which sees Mugabe give up some of his power to the opposition. Morgan Tsvangirai is the new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. But has Tsvangirai sold our souls to Mugabe?

Listening to Robert Mugabe speak, this has left me with more questions than answers, it’s an embarrassing situation to say the list. That speech was un-called for at this time. I expected Mugabe to give a positive speech, one which gives confidence to investors.

This was an opportunity to all the parties involved to outline what they expect from this deal. This was an opportunity to outline the blue print for a New Zimbabwe, but what does Mugabe do? He troughs water and dampen all the excitement…..I’m angry and disappointed to say the list.

The world is now a global village and the sooner Mugabe realises Zimbabwe can not get out of this current situation without the help of the international community, the better it is for the country.

- Was this the time for Mugabe to start his war of words with Britain, America and other western countries?

- Was this the time for Mugabe to try and be-little our new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai?

- Did Mugabe’s speech raise my hopes of a new and prosperous Zimbabwe? Hell NO!!!

Mugabe has spoiled my day, what did you think about the ‘so called’ historic day? Have your say.

Only if they agree to work together though!

An opposition official David Coltart, of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change has said the combined opposition MDC will have one more cabinet seat than Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF under the power-sharing deal agreed on Thursday. He added that Mugabe will remain President and chair of the cabinet.

- MDC Morgan Tsvangirai 13 cabinet seats.
- Zanu PF 15 cabinet posts
- MDC Mutambara 3 seats

Other reports have said that Morgan Tsvangirai will be in charge of the cabinet whilst Mugabe will be in charge of a council, which will act as an overseer of the cabinet’s activities. However Mugabe will have no veto powers on the council.

But until we see the full agreement document, well, we have to be cautious about media speculations. If Morgan Tsvangirai is going to be prime minister, we still don’t know how much power he will have or how much power Mugabe retains.

Other reports say the opposition MDC will have control of the cabinet and the police force. President Mugabe will retain control of the country’s military.

Personally I would have preferred a new Zimbabwe without Mugabe, but for the sake of a peaceful Zimbabwe at most he should have got a ceremonial government position and let other people try and sort out this mess he has created in Zimbabwe.

But for the sake of development and people’s welfare, I just hope this deal puts people’s interest first. It should signal the era of politicians who think they are bigger than Zimbabwe, politicians who think they own Zimbabwe, the end of politicians who are NOT answerable to people who elect them into office.

This power-sharing deal will not mean anything if it does not address the bread and butter issues. People First!
Zimbabwean citizens have suffered for the past few years. Many are now economic refugees in other countries, families have been destroyed and lives lost because of greedy politicians who put their interests ahead of the people’s interest.

Zimbabwe’s political situation makes me angry! But I hope this is the beginning of an anger free life.

Feel free to have your say.

President Robert Mugabe has agreed to share power with Morgan Tsvangirai. At the moment we don’t really know the actual contents or the terms of the agreement, so, we have to wait until Monday when the actual signing ceremony is expected to take place. Even though I would have wanted Mugabe out of power, maybe for the mean time and for the sake of people’s welfare a unity government is the best way forward for Zimbabwe.

But, what happens next now that a unity deal has been agreed? Personally I hope this is the beginning of a new era, an era where people reclaim power from the greedy politicians. An era where politicians respect the wishes of the people. An era where politicians are accountable to the people who elect them into office.

Obviously before the full power-sharing document is out, all people can do is speculate on the way forward. Here is what News24 says is likely to happen next in Zimbabwe:

HOW WILL MUGABE AND TSVANGIRAI MOVE FORWARD?

Mugabe and Tsvangirai are expected to form a new Cabinet, including opposition figures who have been arrested by Mugabe’s government several times since the MDC emerged nine years ago as as the biggest threat to Zanu-PF’s hold on power.

HOW WILL THE DEAL BE SIGNED?

South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been the regional mediator in the talks, could invite regional leaders to witness either a symbolic signing ceremony or inauguration of Zimbabwe’s new unity government.

WILL WESTERN POWERS GIVE THEIR BLESSINGS?

World powers – including the United States and Zimbabwe’s former colonial master Britain – are likely to hold back immediate endorsement of the power-sharing deal until they see the details and how it will work in practice.

If they determine a new government is democratic, Western countries are expected to consider major investment and aid packages.

HOW WILL REGIONAL POWERS SUPPORT THE SETTLEMENT?

The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) will call on the international community to support the Zimbabwe agreement and urge financial support to revive the country’s crumbling economy.

HOW WILL THE GOVERNMENT START ECONOMIC RECOVERY?

The new unity government is expected to agree an emergency economic revival programme, and to dispatch Tsvangirai to help mobilise financial and food aid for a country which critics say has been destroyed by years of mismanagement.

WILL ZIMBABWEANS ABROAD RETURN HOME, OR WAIT?

Some Zimbabweans abroad may start weighing plans to return home, but a majority of the millions in neighbouring countries, Europe and America will take their time to assess the political settlement before deciding on their future.

WHAT ABOUT RELATIONS WITH UNIONS?

Zimbabwe’s new unity government may negotiate with labour unions and industry over a moratorium on wages and prices to help stabilise an economy struggling with the world’s highest inflation rate of over 11 million percent.

HOW WILL CORRUPTION BE TACKLED?

The new government is also expected to launch a crackdown on crime and corruption which has worsened the crisis of an economy with severe food, fuel and foreign currency shortages.

As for the citizens of Zimbabwe, I’m sure they want to live a better life than the suffering they are currently experiencing under Mugabe’s rule. Over the years Mugabe has destroyed the country and also proved that he can not solve the crisis in the country.

We hope the unity deal will signal the beginning of a new era in Zimbabwe, were politicians respect the wishes of the people and are accountable to the people who elect them into office.

So, what do you think about the deal? Feel free to share your views.

Zanu PF and the Movement for Democratic Change agreed a power-sharing deal on Thursday to end the post election crisis in the country, both parties said.

This is the moment that Zimbabweans have been waiting for? The day Mugabe accepts to share power with the people’s choice Morgan Tsvangirai. We all remember how Tsvangirai was robbed of his victory on 29 March, and eventual Mugabe made himself President in his one man election on 27 June.

South African President Thabo Mbeki said Zanu PF and the MDC have agreed on all issues and a national unity government will be announced on Monday.

“I am absolutely certain that the leadership of Zimbabwe is committed to implementing these agreements … this is an outcome that comes out of decisions arrived at by the leadership of Zimbabwe,” Mbeki said.

“It’s made in Zimbabwe, it’s made by Zimbabweans, the rest of the world needs to respect that the people of Zimbabwe have taken a decision about their own country,” Mbeki said.

Regional leaders are expected to attend the signing ceremony on Monday.

Movement for Democratic Change President Morgan Tsvangirai has said they(MDC) would rather have no deal than sign a bad deal. The opposition party has said they would rather quit the power-sharing talks with Zanu PF, and have challenged President Mugabe to call a new election.

Another election will surely result in more violence in the country. So, why give Zanu PF supporters another chance to kill innocent citizens of Zimbabwe?

“We are saying to him you can call another election under international supervision and let’s see who is going to win that race,” Tsvangirai said at a rally to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the Movement for Democratic Change.

However if another election will solve the current crisis, then I will support the idea. Mugabe lost the previous election and I doubt very much he will agree to another election where be will surely be embarrassed by the MDC again.

Well, Tsvangirai is right in refusing to sign a deal which is not in the best interests of Zimbabwe’s citizens. If Mugabe thinks people still want him, then he should call another election like Tsvangirai is suggesting, and allow every Zimbabwean to vote. Even all those forced to flee the country because of his destructive policies.

So, what do you think? Have your say by posting your comments.

President Robert Mugabe was quoted in the state media on Thursday as saying he will go ahead and form a government on Thursday if opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai does not sign a power-sharing deal.
Meanwhile Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has responded by saying President Mugabe will be committing ‘political suicide’ if he goes ahead and form a government before a power-sharing deal is agreed.

“If Mugabe wants to commit political suicide by unilaterally appointing a cabinet, that’s his choice. We will not stand in his way,” MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP.

“Our position remains the same. We have not and we are not getting into any deal with Mugabe which does not help the people of Zimbabwe.

If Mugabe decides to form a cabinet it will be ineffective since it will be chosen from the same men and women who authored the crisis. If he does that Mugabe will have chosen to drive a car without the engine,” Chamisa said.

It’s very unfortunate because in the middle of this political crisis is the millions of suffering Zimbabweans. For how long should we live in poverty because politicians can not be sensible enough to agree on solutions that will end our suffering?

Maybe someone should tell the whole country the contents of that power-sharing deal that Mugabe wants Tsvangirai to sign. The people have a right to know because it’s our future, our children’s future that these politicians are playing with.

Have your say by posting your comments.