The eagerly awaited statement about the talks to resolve the remaining issues in the Global Political Agreement, has been postponed to a later date. The principals had been scheduled to issue a statement on Friday.

We are reliably informed that the principals are still sharply divided over the appointments of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman, James Maridadi,
confirmed to us that ‘nothing was going to come out from the
principals today (Friday)’. This is despite assurances by Tsvangirai this
week that a statement would be made on Friday.

‘I am afraid there is not going to be anything today,’ Maridadi said without elaborating.

Reports of a stalemate in the talks will not come as a surprise to most Zimbabweans and to many in the MDC, who feel their party is being completely sidelined by Robert Mugabe. An MDC insider told us there is a general feeling of ‘disgruntlement’ in the party because of the long time it is taking to resolve the outstanding issues, that are so negatively affecting the country.

The decision making body of the party is meeting on Sunday in Masvingo to discuss the inclusive government. The party insider told us ‘there would be fireworks’ in Masvingo because of a general consensus of disillusionment in the party.

‘Already there is a combative mood among the party faithful, from top to bottom. The situation is dicey because there are strong sentiments that the party is being taken for a ride by Mugabe,’ our insider said.

‘The general membership of the party is asking; are we coming or going. And if we are going, where to? People are saying we have given the principals enough time but nothing has happened. In any negotiation there is a cut off point. People cannot talk forever,’ he added.

The MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti last week gave an ultimatum to Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to resolve all outstanding issues of the GPA by this past Monday.

This ultimatum signalled the growing frustration with the inclusive government, which is affecting the country’s economic and social problems.

‘Look all of us are getting poorer by the day because of the unresolved issues. But that ultimatum by Biti was not a bluff. The man was not bluffing, just wait for Sunday and you will see what he meant,’ our insider said.

In the past three weeks Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara have met eight times to try to deal with the sticking points. All the time, they have failed to agree, as daily it becomes clearer that Mugabe is determined to hold on to all the reins of power.

Tichaona Sibanda
15 May 2009

Additional reporting:  SW Radio Africa