Deal Imminent

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. President Thabo Mbeki, the chief negotiator in the power sharing talks is in Harare to iron out the main sticking points hindering an agreement. Among the sticking points are the roles Mugabe and Tsvangirai will play in the new government and what powers they will have as well as the role of the military and other members of the Joint Operations Command. This might imply major concessions by the MDC on core issues of justice and accountability as well as surrendering of some executive power by ZANU PF. In the meantime, Botswana has intensified its diplomatic pressure against the Harare through the deportation of ZANU PFsympathiser and former political editor of the Herald Ceaser Zvayi. Zvayi is also on the USA and EU targeted sanctions list.