Pitfalls to Negotiations

Posted to the web 25 July 2008 Dumisani Muleya /Constantine Chimakure WHILE power-sharing talks between Zanu PF and the two MDC factions started on an optimistic note in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday, potential dangers which could derail the negotiations are looming. An assessment of the opportunities and threats to the talks by the Zimbabwe Independent revealed that, although the talks stand a good chance of success they are also endangered by internal and external political factors. If both parties refuse to make serious concessions, the negotiators are bound to have problems on who leads the envisaged new government. The issue of violence before the elections and the need to hold perpetrators to account might become a problem. The MDC has produced a long list of issues which it needs addressed --- violence, release of... [read full story]