Talks to iron out differences between Zimbabwe's feuding parties have begun in Harare, but there has apparently been no progress. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says the parties agreed last week on a range of issues and says Zanu-PF is now back-tracking.
President Jacob Zuma said the parties have agreed to a package of measures, a statement that gave a desperate nation hope. Zuma's mediation efforts were broadly welcomed and it was hoped the deal would give impetus to easing European and American sanctions.
Zanu-PF however says there will not be concessions to opposition parties until sanctions are lifted. The party’s chief spokesperson Rugare Gumbo says the decision not to grant concessions was confirmed by their political bureau.
Responding to the situation, the MDC accused Zanu-PF of negotiating in bad faith. MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa says Zanu-PF should pronounce to the whole world that they changed their initial position. A report to the facilitator has to be forwarded by March 31 as the nation waits anxiously to see what this round of talks will yield.
* SABC
