AU Says Zimbabwe Rivals to Sign Agreement Monday
Zimbabwe’s government and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) may sign a memorandum of understanding to begin substantive talks, the African Union has announced. AU Commission chief Jean Ping expressed hope Sunday that the MDC would sign the deal within 24 hours after South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed the formation of a UN-AU team to help him mediate the crisis. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had refused to enter into full fledged talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-pf, protesting that Mbeki’s mediation favoured Mugabe. The talks will be expected to lead to the formation of a unity government between the two sides as a way of resolving the crisis fomented by Mugabe’s reelection in a one-man runoff vote. First round winner Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff, citing violence perpetrated against his supporters by ZANU-pf militias. [PE]