afrol News, 2 October - Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has been requested by new government today to continue working to bring opposing Zimbabwean political parties together in a unity government.

New South African president Kgalema Motlanthe who was sworn in last week has expressed his confidence in his predecessor to build on his 'historic successes' in neighbouring Zimbabwe

"Mr Mbeki's facilitation efforts in Zimbabwe have proven his dispassionate vision for a lasting political solution to challenges facing Zimbabwe," Mr Motlanthe said.

He added, "Accordingly, our government has full confidence in Mr Mbeki's ability to build on historic successes already made in power sharing negotiations under his mediation. Therefore, we will further fully support him as facilitator."

However, a senior official with ruling ZANU-PF party was adamant that Mr Mbeki's involvement was not needed now to break an impasse threatening to derail a power-sharing deal and recovery of African nation's shattered economy.

Mr Mbeki, a trouble-shooter in a series of African crises during nine years as president, brokered 15 September deal between president Robert Mugabe and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai that is to establish a unity government.

Mr Mbeki's role was thrown into doubt after his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party forced him to resign.

Pressure for him to become involved again has grown as Mr Mugabe's party and MDC argue over allocation of cabinet posts.

Under the deal, opposition parties were due to nominate 16 of 31 cabinet jobs. But this week, Mr Mugabe reportedly demanded right to appoint all key cabinet ministers, threatening to render opposition powerless.

Mr Tsvangirai's MDC initially criticised Mr Mbeki as being too soft on Zimbabwean leader, but it now supports him continuing his 18-month mediation under a mandate from 15-nation Southern African Development Community.

ZANU-PF, which lost control of parliament in a March election and entered talks reluctantly, said it did not see any immediate need for mediation over dispute on cabinet posts.

"I don't think that issue of allocation of ministries is a matter that can be referred to facilitator (Mr Mbeki)," Patrick Chinamasa, chief ZANU-PF negotiator at talks, was quoted as saying.

"We cannot, at slightest difference in opinion, call outsiders to mediate. If there is thinking on such kind of an approach, it has to stop in interest of harmonisation of relations," Mr Chinamasa said.

Mr Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, has expressed confidence that cabinet would be named this week. But Mr Tsvangirai and his officials argue that a deal is not imminent.

Opposition accuses ruling ZANU-PF of trying to assign them (opposition) a junior role in government.

Without a breakthrough, Zimbabwe's economy could worsen still further. The once-prosperous nation is crumbling under inflation of about 11 million percent, highest in world and chronic food shortages.

United Nations estimates show that three million Zimbabweans are already relying on aid and that figure could rise to five million, or about half population.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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