Movement for Democratic Change spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said party secretary-general Tendai Biti had said a deal with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to set up an inclusive government was dead because he was disappointed that he would not be appointed deputy Prime Minister.
Chamisa told United States embassy officials that the MDC believed it could best shape the electoral environment, including drafting of a new constitution, through participation in a power-sharing government.
When asked about Biti’s statement that a deal with ZANU-PF was essentially dead, Chamisa said that the MDC National Council had taken a position in favour of a power-sharing government as long as preconditions were met, and that Biti did not speak for the MDC.
He said that Biti was disappointed that after personally negotiating an agreement with ZANU-PF, it was made clear that he would not become a deputy prime minister, the post that he wanted.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 09HARARE6, MDC SPOKESPERSON CHAMISA ON NEGOTIATIONS
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INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
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RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2647
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RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1803
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000006
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ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019
SUBJECT: MDC SPOKESPERSON CHAMISA ON NEGOTIATIONS
REF: 08 HARARE 1146
Classified By: CDA Katherine Dhanani for reason 1.4 (d)
¶1.
. (C) According to MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa, the
MDC’s goal is new elections through which it can take over
complete control of government. Chamisa told polecon chief
December 31 the MDC believes it can best shape the electoral
environment, including drafting of a new constitution,
through participation in a power-sharing government. The MDC
will therefore continue to participate in negotiations. It
will, however, insist on resolution of outstanding issues.
These include first and foremost an equitable distribution of
ministries, although the MDC will agree to share leadership
of Home Affairs. Other outstanding issues are division of
governorships, appointment of ambassadors and permanent
secretaries, and composition and function of the national
security council. Finally, the MDC wants the recent
appointments of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and
Attorney General Johannes Tomana rescinded, and a sunset
clause on a power-sharing government so that there is a
deadline for new elections.
¶2. (C) We asked Chamisa about MDC secretary-general Tendai
Biti’s comments that a deal with ZANU-PF was essentially
dead. Chamisa responded that the MDC National Council had
taken a position in favor of a power-sharing government as
long as preconditions were met, and that Biti did not speak
for the MDC. He noted that Biti was disappointed that after
personally negotiating an agreement with ZANU-PF, it was made
clear that he would not become a deputy prime minister, the
post that he wanted. Chamisa acknowledged that ZANU-PF might
very well not agree to the MDC’s positions on outstanding
issues, in which case the MDC would not enter government.
Chamisa thought that Zimbabwean president Mugabe wanted an
agreement, but that others within ZANU-PF, particularly
Emmerson Mnangagwa, were adamantly opposed.
¶3. (C) Noting that Mugabe had sent a letter to MDC faction
heads Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara inviting them to
join the government, Chamisa argued Mugabe was not the head
of a legally constituted government and therefore had no
right to issue such an invitation. He said that Tsvangirai
had written Mugabe and South African president Motlanthe to
propose a meeting between him and Mugabe to discuss the
outstanding issues as well as the negotiating atmosphere,
including the recent spate of abductions
——-
COMMENT
——-
¶4. (C) Tsvangirai is now in South Africa and we understand
has begun meetings with the South African mediation team.
There will undoubtedly be pressure from South Africa on both
ZANU-PF and the MDC to reach an agreement. Two key near-term
events are the MDC leadership strategy conference in South
Africa next week, and, if it takes place, a meeting between
Mugabe and Tsvangirai. An Embassy contact close to ZANU-PF
told us that Mugabe will be in the Far East until the middle
of January; a meeting between the principals would have to
await his return.
¶5. (C) The MDC is faced with two largely unsatisfactory
choices. It can remain outside of government and attempt to
pressure the government as the desperate situation in the
country continues. But Mugabe appears resolute in
withstanding pressure and remaining in power. Or the MDC can
join the government with knowledge that ZANU-PF will attempt
to maintain the reigns of power and marginalize the MDC. For
now, the MDC appears to be opting for the latter, believing
HARARE 00000006 002 OF 002
that as part of government it can best try to address the
humanitarian crisis and begin to prepare for elections. It
has made specific demands regarding outstanding issues and
has placed the ball in ZANU-PF’s court.
¶6. (C) Still unresolved is the fate of about 40 individuals,
a number of them MDC officials, who have been abducted by
government security forces during the last two months. On
December 19, Tsvangirai said the MDC would suspend
negotiations if the abductees were not released or charged in
court by January 1. 18 have now been brought to court and
hearings are taking place. But there is no word on the rest.
END COMMENT.
DHANANI
(33 VIEWS)
