South African Envoy in Zimbabwe for Latest Crisis Mediation

Harare, Zimbabwe

A South African team of mediators is in Zimbabwe holding talks with two coalition government principles to help tone down a stalemate twisted by a new wave of crisis that has rocked the government.

The team selected by South African President Jacob Zuma, led by his advisor Lindiwe Zulu held separate meetings with President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to break down the impasse between the two leaders who are barely speaking.

This follows the adjourning of country’s Senate to February next year due to disruption by senators allied to Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, who were protesting against unilateral appointments by President Mugabe.

The senators claim that Mugabe’s unprocedural re-appointment of provincial governors, judges and ambassadors was a violation of the coalition agreement that holds the inclusive government in place.

Tsvangirai has demanded the appointments be reversed and a clear road map to next year’s elections be positioned. He further demanded for end to the rising political intimidations and outright violence especially in rural areas.

The two leaders formed a unity government under the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed in September 2008 following a disputed election that saw the country fall into violence.

Statement by Vice President John Nkomo during an interview on the state-owned Herald newspaper that his ZANU-PF party made a mistake in by entering the unity government has faced much criticism from MDC which termed it as tantamount to creating divisions in a nation that is nursing bruises.

The US and European Union have been reluctant to end Financial sanctions and travel ban imposed on Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party allies in response to widespread human rights abuses committed by the party.

Four heads of state from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are expected to tour western capitals this month to rally for removal of these sanctions which they term were not only affecting Zimbabwe only but the whole southern Africa region.

 Antananarivo, Madagascar

Opposition Parties Call for Referendum Boycott

Madagascar’s three main opposition parties have called for the boycott of Wednesday’s referendum for the country’s new constitution which is anticipated to extend President Andry Rajoelina’s stay in power.

The unilateral government is promoting the referendum as a step towards stability but analysts have expressed strong indication on rejection of the vote by the citizens.

Former Prime Minister Monja Roindefo said he didn’t recognize the election which was unilaterally organized by Rajoelina as part of his plans to arrogate more powers to himself, saying it would worsen further the ongoing political crisis and delay its resolution.

He said there was need to seek another solution as the referendum was not recognized by the international community and regional bodies, blaming the country’s predicaments on Rajoelina’s poor governance.

Efforts to legitimize his rule have failed on several occasions, with the international community refusing to recognize his government, leading to diplomatic isolation and the freezing of financial aid. Madagascar was suspended from the African Union (AU) shortly after Rajoelina’s takeover.

Rajoelina-a former disc jockey- declared himself president after leading a military-backed popular uprising that forced President Marc Ravalomanana out of power in March 2009. 

The new constitution is expected to lower minimum age for presidential candidate from 40 to 35, giving Rajoelina, 36, a leeway to vie for the office. It also provides for prospect candidates to have been in the country for at least six months prior to elections, which will phase out exiled leaders from contesting. Ravalomanana is currently seeking political asylum in South Africa.

Regional chaired mediation talks between Rajoelina and former presidents have failed to reach agreement on distribution key government posts in the interim government as part of the power-sharing charter signed in Mozambican capital, Maputo ahead of fresh polls.