Tsvangirai's MDC to join unity government

CLIMBDOWN: Thokozani Khupe

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Posted to the web: 14/11/2008 16:25:22
ZIMBABWE’S main opposition party said on Friday that it will join a unity government with President Robert Mugabe once a constitutional amendment is passed to comply with all the terms of the power-sharing deal signed two months ago.

"Neither Robert Mugabe nor Zanu PF has the legitimacy of forming any government or running this country in the absence of the consummation of the global power-sharing agreement," said Thokozani Khupe, the deputy leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

Under the deal signed on September 15, Mugabe will remain as president while Tsvangirai – who is still out of the country since the SADC summit held in South Africa last Sunday -- takes the new post of prime minister. Arthur Mutambara, leader of a faction of the MDC takes the post of deputy prime minister.

But parliament needs to approve an amendment to create the office of the prime minister and define its powers.

Khupe said: "Given the lack of sincerity and lack of paradigm shift on the part of Zanu PF, the MDC shall participate in a new government once Constitutional Amendment No. 19 has been passed and effected into law.

"In the event of an illegitimate government being unilaterally formed, the MDC will not be part to the same and will peacefully, constitutionally and democratically mobilise and campaign against the illegitimate government."

The MDC’s latest position appeared a major climbdown from its demands for full control of the Home Affairs Ministry which is also in charge of the police. Regional leaders have proposed that both Mugabe’s Zanu PF party and Tsvangirai’s MDC share the ministry.

Khupe criticised the leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc for insisting that Zimbabwe form a unity government immediately.

"Our issues were not addressed by SADC," Khupe said.

"All our issues were glossed over and narrowed down to the issue of the home affairs ministry," she added.

But she insisted that the MDC would not pull out of the power-sharing deal.

"We are committed and we remain committed to this dialogue," she said.
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