Talks between Zimbabwe's government and the main oppositionMovement for Democratic Change (MDC) have reportedly stalled after disagreementover modalities for the talks. The talks, which are aimed at resolving theescalating economic and political crisis, were adjourned after MDC negotiatorsblamed the government of using ongoing violence to intimidate its partisans.But the ruling ZANU-PF government denied the accusations and reportedly saidthe talks would continue this week despite any setbacks. The peace negotiationsresumed after President Mugabe's government hailed the failure of the UnitedNations Security Council to impose stiffer sanctions on President Mugabe andthe entire leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Nelson Chamisa is thespokesman for Zimbabwe's main opposition MDC. He tells reporter Peter Clotteyfrom the capital, Harare that the situation on the ground points to a deficitof goodwill being exhibited by the ruling ZANU-PF.
"Imust say that the current position is that there is no agreement that has beenreached yet, and the reason for the problem is that ZANU-PF has manifested anincredible catalogue of acts of bad faith. They have clearly shown that theyare not willing to be serious about the negotiations. They are talking white,but in actual fact they are acting black. There is violence in the country,persecution of our membership, our members of parliament who are being pursuedon trumped up charges, all those issues militate against any kind of ameaningful dialogue. And as we are speaking, the situation on the ground pointsto a deficit of goodwill on the part of the ZANU-PF," Chamisa pointed out.
Hesaid the opposition has found it unattainable to organize political activities.
"Iindicated that it is like the MDC is a banned organization because on the issueof freedom of association, assembly and even expression has been curtailed. Itis not possible for us to organize our activists. It has almost becomeimpossible for Zimbabweans to go about doing their normal political and evensocial business. So, under those circumstances it is very difficult to indicateor say that MDC is free to hold activities of our choice. And that is why weare saying the situation is so prohibitive and inhibitive of MDC activities,"he said.
Chamisasaid the situation on the ground is grim.
"Whatyou must appreciate and understand is that Zimbabwe is burning as we arespeaking. Zimbabweans are suffering. There is literally no food. People areliterally jobless and almost 99 percent unemployment rate, and the situation isso dire and so extreme in terms of the humanitarian deficit. In terms of thehuman rights abuses, we are caught in between a rock and a hard place,"Chamisa, noted.
Hesaid the opposition seems to be fighting an uphill battle with dire nature ofsituation on the ground.
"Zimbabweanswould want us (opposition) to make sure that there is an expeditious responsetheir very challenging circumstances. But at the same time, we also need to putpreconditions that would ensure that that kind of suffering is stopped. So, weare conscious and alive to the fact that we need to put the necessary preconditionsahead of the peace talks. This is why our contact has not been dialoguing inany manner. It has just been consultations that are supposed to clear thecourse for a negotiated settlement," he said.