Zimbabwe's opposition MDC and President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF will begin negotiations on a power-sharing deal in earnest on Thursday, officials said today.
The rivals kicked off preliminary talks yesterday aimed at ending Zimbabwe's crisis, South African president Thabo Mbeki's spokesman said. He declined to say what was discussed.
"I won't talk about what it is. I will say talks resumed, and talks are continuing," Mukoni Ratshitanga said. "They have started more or less. [They will be] in earnest tomorrow."
Mbeki, mediating in the crisis, secured a framework deal between Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday for talks aimed at ending the deadlock since Mr Mugabe's re-election on June 27th in a poll boycotted by the opposition because of violence.
Pressure for power-sharing has come from regional states concerned by the political and economic crisis that has forced millions of refugees to flee to Zimbabwe's neighbours, most of them to South Africa.
Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper said Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Public Services Minister Nicholas Goche would represent ZANU-PF at negotiations, while the MDC would be represented by secretary-general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma. A splinter faction of the MDC would also have two negotiators at the talks.
The MDC says 120 of its supporters have been killed since a first round of elections on March 29th, in which Mr Tsvangirai beat Mr Mugabe but without the absolute majority to avoid a run-off. Mr Mugabe blames the opposition for the bloodshed.
Reuters