GNU fails to meet Zuma deadline for resolving disputes

The three negotiating principals have ignored the 30-day deadline imposed by South African mediator Jacob Zuma during last month’s SADC summit in Namibia. In his report to the Troika summit of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in Namibia, Zuma imposed a 30-day deadline for Zimbabwe’s feuding partners in the coalition government to solve the outstanding issues arising from the implementation of the Global Political Agreement signed in September 2008.

SADC leaders see the fulfilment of the GPA as one of the critical steps that would lay a strong foundation for the staging of free and fair polls in Zimbabwe. There is growing belief that elections will take place next year, despite remarks from ZEC not to rush elections. However, the ZANU unleashed violence at the constitutional outreach meetings in Harare this week, combined with the remarks of ZANU’s Public Affairs Minister Mutasa, further fuels concerns about another violent election should it take place next year.

On the economic front, Zimbabwe had a second diamond auction next week, which was not accessible for the media. Furthermore, there are reports about growing disputes between ZANU’s Gono and Kuwaza at the Reserve Bank.