Zimbabwe's power-sharing impasse draws close to end

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-16 15:46

HARARE -- Talks on allocating ministries between the three main political parties in Zimbabwe has ended without an agreement on the second day on Wednesday, although leaders involved in the negotiations expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached on Thursday, New Ziana has reported.

The talks were again as intense as on Tuesday, lasting more than seven hours, but all the leaders this time expressed confidence - unlike on the first day - of a possible positive outcome.

Leader of the larger MDC Morgan Tsvangirai, who was again the first to emerge from the talks, was in a jovial mood when he briefed reporters on progress made.

"Proceedings have been going on but quite circuitous," he said, adding the negotiations had not been concluded and would continue on Thursday.

Splinter MDC leader Arthur Mutambara, who was next to emerge, was also in a boisterous mood and expressed optimism of reaching an agreement.

"We had a long and productive day. We made progress and discussions will continue tomorrow. We are very close," he said.

President Robert Mugabe who emerged last was more committal about finishing the process on Thursday. "We made some progress. We finish tomorrow," he said.

The three leaders agreed to recall former South African President Thabo Mbeki last week after disagreeing on the allocation of ministries in a proposed inclusive government.They signed a power-sharing deal on September 15, brokered by Mbeki, after disputed elections in June.

In terms of the agreement, Zanu-PF will appoint 15 Ministers, the larger MDC 13 and the smaller one three.But the allocation of the ministries sparked off differences between the parties, prompting the recall of the former South African leader to mediate.

Mugabe at the weekend allocated ministries to the three parties, a move the MDC contested. The MDC alleged the process was not done equitably to reflect the spirit of the power-sharing agreement.The country has been without a substantive government since the first elections in March.