In Zimbabwe

The first opposition Speaker of the House of Assembly was elected in Zimbabwe yesterday.

The Zimbabwe crisis was high on the agenda at the SADC summit this weekend. It was envisaged that a deal between the major political parties would be reached before the summit ends but that did not happen.

Zimbabwe power sharing talks mediated by South African president Thabo Mbeki have yielded no deal yet.

While humanitarian access is still blocked and violence against opposition members continue, a power sharing deal between ZANU PF and MDC is reported to be imminent

The talks between Zimbabwe's political parties resume in South Africa on the day they are scheduled to be finalised.

The talks among Zimbabwe major political parties began in Pretoria, South Africa on thursday the 24th. The proceedings are shrouded in mystrey and secrecy as stipulated in the Memorundum of Undertsnading.

A major break through was reached as Zimbabwe's major political parties try to find common ground for talks that could lead to finding a panacea for the Zimbabwe crisis.

Zimbabweans face unprecedeented poverty in the aftermath of the June 27 one-man election as more multinational companies pull out or scale down operations in Zimbabwe.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change expressed regret at the African Union resolution on Zimbabwe calling for a government of national unity. the MDC charged that the AU failed to denounce the ongoing violence and seemed to recognise the government of Mugabe.

Zimbabwe was forced into a one man election on friday the 22nd after the withdrawal of opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. RG Mugabe, went on to declare himself winner in the elction with about 85% of the vote.