Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

MDC threatens to withdraw from mediation talks
Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa
September 21, 2007

Visit the special index of articles, analysis and opinion on Constitutional Amendment 18

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news210907/talks210907.htm

The Tsvangirai led MDC is expected to send an envoy to President Thabo Mbeki with an ultimatum that they will be forced to withdraw from the mediation talks if there is no end to state violence against its supporters, Newsreel learned on Friday.

Following the party's national executive meeting in Harare on Friday, the party leadership was mandated to demand an unconditional end to violence and intimidation against its supporters. If the arbitrary arrests, intimidation and killings don't end, the MDC will pull out of the talks.

The head of foreign affairs, Professor Elphas Mukonoweshuro, said the meeting unanimously adopted a resolution to withdraw its team from the talks if the regime continues to target its members.

'It was highlighted Zanu-PF was not negotiating in good faith. The national executive felt the party could not continue negotiating with them whilst at same time they are busy killing, arresting and beating up our colleagues,' Mukonoweshuro said.

The meeting declared it was satisfied with what has emerged from the Mbeki led talks so far. Mukonoweshuro said they got a blow by blow account of what has transpired since the talks began.

'As a way forward, the meeting decided the party should embark on an extensive countrywide tour to brief our members of what has been going on. This intensive exercise will begin in the next coming days,' he said,

Mukonoweshuro explained also why the MDC did not oppose the constitutional amendment 18. He said it was simply a starting point.

'I know people, including our civil society partners, have said a lot about this perceived deal, but it is their democratic right to challenge the party if they think its drifting away from its set goals. But I will want to reassure everyone that this is not the case,' he said.

He said there was still a lot to come in the negotiations between the two parties, including the electoral laws, the reconstitution of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the political environment. He added people should realize amendments to Bill number 18 were only the beginning. The role of the defence forces and the police, as well as the repealing of POSA and AIPPA, remain to be discussed.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP