It Appears That Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe Has Come Back From The Dead

Lights out as Zuma arrives print friendly version
author/source:Cape Argus (SA)
published:Fri 28-Aug-2009
posted on this site:Fri 28-Aug-2009
Article Type : News
Vehicles had to direct their headlights so that Zuma's party could disembark
Focus on Mugabe's failure to stick to his side of agreement Peta Thornycroft and Stanley Gama Harare – On the surface, it was all sweetness and light during official speeches at a banquet hosted last night by President Robert Mugabe for President Jacob Zuma. The hard part - outstanding issues from the political agreement, now nearly a year old - began after the dinner and continue today. Those disagreements concentrated on Mugabe's failure to swear in Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) governors, his unilateral appointment of senior civil servants loyal to Zanu PF, central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana and his arrests of MDC MPs. Mugabe has also failed to swear in deputy agriculture minister Roy Bennett because he is facing weapons charges, even though the state has failed for six months to present its case to defence lawyers. "The inclusive government has made great strides in addressing the challenges in Zimbabwe and the remaining issues in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement can be overcome," South African President and SADC chair Jacob Zuma said last night at the dinner. "SADC remains at your disposal for assistance. The remaining issues are not insurmountable, and can be overcome. The most difficult path has already been travelled," he said. "The bonds that united us when we battled the inhuman systems of apartheid and colonialism still guide us today as we endeavour to build a better life for all our people. We remain very committed as guarantors of the implementation of the Global Political Agreement and partners, to continue working with the Zimbabwean people to find solutions. "We are all encouraged by how the three parties put their differences aside in the service of this country. It is indeed very encouraging to note the significant progress that has been made under the auspices of the inclusive government." Zuma flew into Harare yesterday evening amid high expectations from the MDC that he would use his political muscle to end sharp differences in the unity government. Zuma was greeted by the 85-year President Mugabe - defying rumours that he was very ill - and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. But Mugabe kept the rumour mills churning a bit longer when he arrived late at the airport, leaving Zuma twiddling his thumbs on his aircraft for about ten minutes before he could emerge to walk down the stairs. And because the airport lights weren't working, vehicles had to direct their headlights to enable Zuma's party to disembark. But it was too dark for him to inspect the guard of honour. To remind Tsvangirai that he is a lesser being, the pro Zanu PF public media, including The Herald, now always refers to Mugabe as "Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces". And his spokesman George Charamba has been insisting all along that Zuma has only come to Zimbabwe to open the Harare Agricultural Show today, not to resolve the problems in the unity government. back to top