Mbeki still the point man in Zimbabwe

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Posted to the web: 24/09/2008 11:02:23
PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki‘s role as facilitator in Zimbabwean‘s political dispute will continue as long as he is willing to act in that capacity, the Southern African Development Community said Wednesday.

“It does not need someone to be a sitting president to facilitate in a dispute. It does not subtract anything because he has resigned, unless he personally thinks otherwise,” said SADC spokesman Charles Mubita.

“Mbeki was appointed by the SADC to facilitate mediation in Zimbabwe and this appointment was based on his knowledge, understanding and acumen of the situation. The status quo remains as it is,” Mubita said.

South Africa now chairs the SADC. Mubita stressed that this position was for the country, not for a particular person.

President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party and the two opposition MDC factions are deadlocked on the allocation of key ministries in a new "inclusive Cabinet" after the parties signed a power-sharing deal on September 15.

Discussions are expected to continue when Mugabe returns from the United Nations later this week.

A constitutional amendment to give force to the power-sharing agreement is not due before Zimbabwe's parliament until October 14.
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