Maravi

(ZIMBABWE GUARDIAN) Zuma, Mugabe kickstart talks

Zuma, Mugabe kickstart talks
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 10:54 am

South African President Jacob Zuma (L) walks with President Robert Mugabe at Harare International airport, March 16, 2010. Zuma is in the country for a three-day state visit

SOUTH African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday morning met with President Mugabe to kickstart a three-day visit to Zimbabwe where he is facilitating the current power-sharing talks between Zanu-PF and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mr Zuma is expected to appraise President Mugabe on the outcome of his recent trip to Britain where he called for the lifting of illegal sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe by the EU over a bilateral dispute with the former coloniser.

On his recent trip to Britain, President Zuma called for the lifting of ruinous sanctions against the country saying they were unhelpful and an impediment to a free and fair election in the country.

President Zuma appeared in good spirits, joking with reporters as he met President Mugabe in the capital, Harare.

Talks with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were set to follow his meeting with President Mugabe.

"The president wants to hear first-hand information on the discussions between President Zuma and (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown on the issue of sanctions in order to chart a way forward," Zanu-PF chief negotiator to the power-sharing talks, Patrick Chinamasa told the Zimbabwe Guardian, Wednesday morning.

"This is quite a real issue for him and he needs answers on the issue sanctions. As you know Zanu-PF is not prepared to give in to any more MDC concessions unless there is movement on this very pertinent issue (of sanctions)."



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President Mugabe will brief his South African counterpart on the progress made thus far in drafting a new constitution, which is meant to pave the way toward fresh elections.

Under the power-sharing deal, Zimbabwe was meant to draft a new charter and put it to a referendum by November 2010, paving the way to new elections by February 2011.

Public consultations on the charter were meant to start nine months ago, but are now only expected to begin in April.

Other issues to be discussed at the three-day visit include sharing of the 10 positions of provincial governors, the appointments of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono, the swearing in of Deputy Agriculture Minister Roy Bennett, chairing of Cabinet meetings and ministerial mandates.

This is Mr Zuma’s first visit as facilitator since taking over from former president Thabo Mbeki.

Labels: JACOB ZUMA, MUGABE, STATE VISITS

posted by MrK @ 5:32 PM