Zimbabwe opposition insists on ‘equitable’ deal

ZIMBABWE’S opposition MDC insisted yesterday an “equitable” sharing of powerful ministries and the resolution of other outstanding political issues were key to the formation of a unity government.

“The biggest passport to the formation of an inclusive government is the resolution of outstanding political issues, that is, issues to do with the allocation of governors’ posts and the equitable allocation of key ministries,” Movement for Democratic Change spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said.

“We have identified several key ministries which we want shared equitably. It is not about home affairs only, as ZANU-PF falsely claims, and it is not going to be resolved by sharing one ministry as SADC (Southern African Development Community) suggested,” said.

A recent SADC summit in Johannesburg called for an immediate formation of a unity government and the sharing of the home affairs ministry, which oversees the police, between the ZANU-PF and the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC.

Chamisa was responding to a question as to whether the issuing of a new passport to Tsvangirai on Christmas Day could fast-track the formation of a unity government. “There is also the issue of abductions, which are taking place against the spirit of the memorandum of understanding and the global political agreement, and the use of hate language in the state media,” Chamisa said.

“The outstanding issues are not beyond the capacity of the parties to resolve.”

President Robert Mugabe and his rivals from the MDC signed a power-sharing deal in September in Harare but negotiations to form a unity government have stalled as both sides squabble over key cabinet posts.

Tsvangirai, who is Zimbabwe’s prime minister-designate, had been without a passport since his previous one expired last year.