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The latest development on talks between the opposition party -- the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) -- and ZANU-PF President Robert Mugabe is that they have produced a 50-page document as a way forward in power-sharing and the installation of a transitional government. The duration of the transitional government is still being debated -- the opposition wants two years and ZANU-PF wants five. The plan is to eventually dissolve the transitional government and hold fresh elections to appoint a new government. The document is yet to be finalised by the parties. The full text is not yet available to the public -- the information I am giving is from several newspapers. Some of the key issues contained in the document are as follows:

Robert Mugabe, president ZANU-PF	President	Ceremonial president without executive power; amnesty offered on condition that he will undertake not to "seek to influence day-to-day governmental decisions, nor will he publicly criticise, expressly or by implication, decisions made by the government."
Morgan Twangirayi, president MDC	Prime minister	Has executive power; rules transitional government for x years (still being debated); appoints two vice prime-ministers, one from his party and one from ZANU-PF.
Ministry of Defense	ZANU-PF	ZANU-PF has control of army.
Police and prisons	MDC	Has control of police.
Ministry of Finance	Independent expert (not from ZANU-PF or MDC)	Challenge to find impartial visionary experts committed to the welfare of all Zimbabweans, especially the poorest of the poor (item for prayer -- please pray).

A blanket amnesty is being offered to everyone who "in the course of upholding or opposing the aims and policies of the government of Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF or either formation of the MDC, may have committed crimes within Zimbabwe." A tough call!

The document has not been officially endorsed by both parties, but it seems likely that they will with a few changes.

Given the history of Zimbabwe, there is reason for caution. However, this is a small step forward and we need to pray that truth and justice will prevail for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. Please continue to pray, and thank you for your prayers.

Nontando Hadebe, a former Sojourners intern, is originally from Zimbabwe and is now pursuing graduate studies in theology in South Africa.

Comments

Blanket amnesty? Terrible, given the violence and murder the government perpetrated, but perhaps the only way forward. We pray for peace.

Posted by: marilyn | August 7, 2008 4:16 PM

Indeed. We have a God who responds to prayer and does miracles. As we saw in South Africa.

I'm praying particularly that (i) there will not be violent competition between the police and army, and (ii) for a minister of finance who can retrieve the country from the morass in which Mugabanomics has left it, but do so without losing control to western transnationals and their friends in the WTO/IMF/World Bank, whose interests do not coincide with those of "the poorest of the poor".

meurig

Posted by: meurig | August 8, 2008 1:01 PM

Why can't there be a truth and reconciliation commission as there was in South Africa? The stories of the victims need to be told so future leaders will not forget the past.

Posted by: Lewis W. Carlson | August 8, 2008 3:38 PM

Wow. This is totally amazing given all that has happened. Thank you for sharing Nontando. It is a small step but finally one going in the right direction. Now the true test of the power of forgiveness... I know if any Christians are up to the challenge it will be the Zimbabweans who could do it. The church of Zimbabwe has been truly amazing over the past few months. Someone should make a movie so the rest of us can learn from it. Do you know any good Zimbabwean filmmakers?

Let's all keep praying!!! And giving $$$!!!!

Posted by: Joy Kauffman | August 8, 2008 6:38 PM

Slicing the Cake of Power in Zimbabwe (by Nontando Hadebe)

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