Zim agreement unanimously reached

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Article by: Sapa

Published: 28 Jan 2009

Zim agreement unanimously reached - Chikane

SADC countries unanimously agreed that the resolution to establish an inclusive government in Zimbabwe was the only way forward, director general in the presidency Frank Chikane said on Wednesday.

Referring to a resolution taken at the South African Development Community (SADC) summit on Monday and Tuesday, Chikane said while political parties in Zimbabwe may have had to make compromises on their demands, the outcome had been agreed on.

"SADC did their best to produce a compromise position that took into consideration all the issues raised by the parties [in Zimbabwe]," he told a press briefing in Pretoria.

Chikane said the inclusive government had never been debated by the parties, but that its implementation had produced the obstacles.

He would not comment on political statements made by the Movement for Democratic Change regarding the outcome of the two-day summit.

Among its objections, the MDC found it regrettable that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was allowed to sit in during closed sessions of plenary hearings, unfairly allowing him to be a judge in his own case.

Chikane however said the MDC did have the right to raise these issues and discuss them at its upcoming national executive committee meeting.

"All the parties should consider seriously the resolution that the leaders of this region [SADC] reached after many hours," he said in reference to the talks on Monday that continued through the night.

The understanding was, however, that most problems could be solved once an inclusive government was formed.

The date given for the formation of this government was February 13.

This would be after the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and ministers had been sworn in.

Chikane again backed SADC, in particular South Africa's stance that the new government must be formed urgently to start addressing the political, social and economic problems in Zimbabwe.

"It's tough [in Zimbabwe] and so we need a quick resolution. We can't delay forever."

It was hoped that the dates set aside in the global political agreement would not come and go without action.

"We have to meet those deadlines because they are important. We can't not have deadlines," he said referring to the upcoming swearing-in formalities and the allocation of leadership posts.

Chikane said calls to oust President Robert Mugabe were moot at this stage because the purpose of an inclusive government was to create a political climate conducive to change.

"None of the parties have ever asked for this [the removal of Mugabe]," he said.