20 May 2011
PRINCIPALS of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) are in disarray over the controversial issue of what to do with Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, former leader of the smaller MDC formation, after a series of events this week which left the leaders worried about the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU) if the issue is not resolved soon.
Informed sources said the Mutambara problem erupted in the corridors of power on Tuesday after Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai tried to have a briefing with the six GPA negotiators without involving MDC-N leader Welshman Ncube. Instead of Ncube, Mugabe and Tsvangirai wanted Mutambara in the meeting. MDC-N negotiators Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Moses Mzila Ndlovu reacted to this by boycotting the meeting, sabotaging the briefing and rendering it invalid.
“The problem started when Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara wanted to have a briefing with the six negotiators on Tuesday after cabinet without inviting Ncube,” a senior cabinet minister said. “The meeting could not proceed as planned because Ncube withdrew his negotiators and in terms of the GPA binding decisions have to be made through consultations by all the three parties, their leaders and negotiators.”
Sources said prior to that Mugabe and Tsvangirai had on Monday discussed Mutambara’s status as deputy prime minister in his presence and resolved that the status quo would be maintained. “The principals on Monday discussed the issue and decided that court processes must be allowed to take their course and until a verdict has been made Mutambara should remain as deputy prime minister,” a source said.
Mutambara, who Ncube and his party accuse of being a Zanu PF surrogate, then wrote to South African President Jacob Zuma, Sadc facilitator on Zimbabwe, on Wednesday informing him of the principals’ decision on Monday.
Mutambara also complained in his letter to Zuma that Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Mzila Ndlovu were trying to use GPA processes to resolve his dispute with Ncube. He said Ncube should not be allowed to replace him as his leadership was being challenged in the courts and the MDC-N must not participate in negotiations.
Sources said Ncube is now expected to write his own letter to Zuma or meet him to respond to Mutambara’s assertions.
The sources said this issue – which has created havoc within the GPA and GNU – also came up at another meeting between Mugabe, Ncube and Misihairabwi-Mushonga on Tuesday evening. The two ministers had gone to meet Mugabe on a number of other government-related issues but found themselves intensely engaged on the Mutambara dispute.
Mugabe maintained the position of principals on Monday but suggested to Ncube that he should also meet Tsvangirai to discuss the issue.
Mugabe also said there should be a meeting of party leaders which would include Tsvangirai and Ncube to try to resolve the issue. Tsvangirai and Ncube feel deep hostility towards each other since the split of the original MDC in 2005.
Ncube has previously discussed the issue with Mugabe one-on-one but the president refused to swear him in citing legal hurdles which the minister, who is a lawyer, has dismissed as uninformed and irrelevant.
The latest turmoil engulfing principals came after it appeared Ncube was going to be sworn-in as deputy prime minister next month following successful secret negotiations involving all major players.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Principals in Disarray Over Mutambara