Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Zimbabweans Blame Mugabe Over Unity Government Stalemate


Zimbabweans say President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party are to blame for the ongoing stalemate in the country's coalition government.

They are accusing the embattled leader of refusing to fully implement the Global Political Agreement which led to the formation of the coalition government.

But President Mugabe has said there are no sticking points in the agreement which threaten to unravel the government's unity.

Rather he blames the international community for imposing sanctions, which he claims hinder the functioning of the government.

Glen Mpani, a Zimbabwean political analyst said that President Mugabe is good at shifting blame.

"It is a statement that does not reflect reality that is there between the three political parties. Because if two of the principals are mentioning that there are outstanding issues that need to be resolved, I don't think that it is his (Mugabe) responsibility… to justify whether there are disagreements or not in the agreement," said Mpani, a Zimbabwean political analyst.

He said the sticking point of the agreement was dealt with during a regional summit.

"It was in essence agreed that the inclusive government was going to deal with the issue of the governor, the issue of the attorney general and the issues of other appointments that were supposed to be taking place," he said.

Mpani said there are indications that Mr. Mugabe is not serious about the unity government.

"For him (Mugabe) to say that there are no other sticking points, I think he is simply politicking. It does not reflect the spirit of ensuring that they are working in an inclusive government," Mpani said.

Embattled President Mugabe maintains that he is working with the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in a unity government to resolve the ongoing crisis.

But Mpani said Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party have often undermined elections in the country.

"We have an election where we did not get a conclusion in terms of the will of the people of Zimbabwe," Mpani said.

He said Mugabe often plays the victim by claiming the sanctions hinder the functioning of the coalition government.

"One of the ways in which ZANU-PF has been able to deal with sanctions is to construe them as having been imposed on them because of the MDC. And I think we have to be careful not to allow the propaganda that he (Mugabe ) has been associated with the issue of sanctions to be perpetuated," he said.

Mpani said there is need to holistically examine the usefulness of the sanctions.

"It is very important and critical for Zimbabweans internally and externally to critically assess the role of the sanctions. What have they done, what have been their impact, are they assisting in unlocking the crisis in Zimbabwe?" Mpani asked.

He said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has not done enough to ensure Mugabe fully implement the agreement that led to the formation of the unity government.

XS
SM
MD
LG