ZIMBABWE’S global political agreement (GPA) is under threat as Zanu PF and the MDC formations are deadlocked on outstanding issues of the pact.
Last month Zanu PF’s politburo resolved not to make any further concessions on sticking points such as the rehiring of central bank governor Gideon Gono and the appointment of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana, and the appointment of provincial governors.
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The party said the appointments could not be reversed because they were made by President Robert Mugabe using his constitutional prerogative. Zanu PF was also adamant that the appointments were made before the inclusive government was formed.
Zanu PF said as far as it was concerned, the outstanding issues of the GPA were the continued imposition of sanctions and pirate radio broadcasts. The party accused the MDC of not campaigning enough for the removal of the sanctions and an end to pirate radio broadcasts.
When Sadc Heads of State and Government convened an extraordinary summit in Pretoria on January 26-27 to review the implementation for the GPA, they set out timelines for the formation of the inclusive government and outlined the outstanding issues for the full consummation of the deal. It was at this summit that MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to join government.
The regional leaders never identified sanctions and pirate radio broadcasts as outstanding issues, probably because they knew that the partners in the unity government had no power to have them lifted.
On Monday and Tuesday next week, Sadc leaders will meet in the Democratic Republic of Congo to, among other things, review whether or not their decision in January was implemented.
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Below is the full text of the Sadc communiqué after the summit.
1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Sadc Heads of State and Government met at the Presidential Guest house in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, on January 26-27, 2009. The Extraordinary Summit met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.
2. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by HE Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of Sadc and President of the Republic of South Africa.
3. The Extraordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives: Botswana HE President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Lesotho Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, Mozambique HE President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Namibia HE President Hifikepunye Pohamba, South Africa HE President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of Sadc, Swaziland HM King Mswati III, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, United Republic of Tanzania HE President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Zambia HE Rupiah Banda, Zimbabwe HE President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Angola Hon Assuncao Dos Anjos, Minister of External Affairs DRC Hon Alexis Thambwe Muamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Seychelles Honourable Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Malawi Hon George Chaponda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Madagascar Hon Dr Denis Andriamandroso, MadagascarAmbassador to South Africa, Mauritius Mr Anund Priyay Neewor, GOSK, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
4. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and Sadc Facilitator on the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, Leaders of MDC formations, Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister-designate and Professor Welshman Ncube, representing Professor Arthur Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the Executive Secretary of Sadc, Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomão.
5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of Sadc and President for the Republic of South Africa welcomed all delegates to the meeting and re-affirmed Sadc’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the implementation of the Zimbabwe global political agreement.
6. The Extraordinary Summit noted that the people of Zimbabwe are faced with difficult challenges and suffering that can only be addressed once an inclusive government is in place.
7. In view of the above, the Extraordinary Summit decided as follows:
(i) the parties shall endeavour to cause parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment Act 19 by February 5, 2009;(ii) the prime minister and the deputy prime ministers shall be sworn in by February 11, 2009;(iii) the ministers and deputy ministers shall be sworn in on February 13, 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government;(iv) the Joint-Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic), provided for in the Global Political Agreement shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of Jomic shall be convened by the Facilitator on January 30, 2009, and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;(v) the allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the Sadc Extraordinary Summit held on November 9, 2008, shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the inclusive government;(vi) the appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney-General will be dealt with by the inclusive government after its formation; and(vii) the negotiators of the parties shall meet immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of the Provincial Governors;
8. The Extraordinary Summit expressed its appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and the Facilitator of the political dialogue on Zimbabwe in helping to find an amicable solution to challenges facing the Republic of Zimbabwe and encouraged him to continue with his facilitation efforts.
9. The Extraordinary Summit commended the political parties to the Global Political Agreement for their openness and constructive engagement in finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe.
10. Sadc shall remain seized with the Zimbabwe situation in keeping with its obligations as guarantor of the Global Political Agreement.
11. The Extraordinary Summit directed the chairperson of Sadc to present the African Union at its forthcoming summit a progress report on the implementation of the Sharm- El-Sheik Resolution.
