Emmerson Mnangagwa and then Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi had to be called in to South Africa to join the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chief negotiators Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche because according to businessman Strive Masiyiwa Goche and Chinamasa lacked sufficient authority to resolve fundamental issues.
ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change had agreed in principle to a transitional government but were haggling over whether President Robert Mugabe should have executive powers or should be a ceremonial head of state with the MDC having executive powers.
Mnangagwa was one of those who wanted Mugabe to retain executive powers.
The United States said it would not accept any transitional agreement in which Mugabe had executive authority.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08HARARE669, STRIVE MASIYIWA’S TAKE ON ZANU-PF-MDC NEGOTIATIONS
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Reference ID |
Created |
Released |
Classification |
Origin |
VZCZCXRO6090
OO RUEHC
DE RUEHSB #0669/01 2201528
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 071528Z AUG 08 ZDS PER SVC RUEHC NO.2928 RUEHDS NO.1702
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3264
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 000669
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR G. GARLAND
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: 08/07/2018
SUBJECT: STRIVE MASIYIWA’S TAKE ON ZANU-PF-MDC NEGOTIATIONS
REF: HARARE 661
Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (d)
SUMMARY
——-
.1. (C) Strive Masiyiwa briefed Pretoria PolCounselor and
Harare PolEcon chief August 7 on ZANU-PF-MDC negotiations.
According to Masiyiwa, there is as of now no draft agreement
between the two sides. Press reports suggesting the
existence of a draft agreement are premature. Zimbabwean
president Robert Mugabe and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai
are planning to meet within the next few days one-on-one to
attempt to resolve outstanding issues, chief of which is the
allocation of executive authority. Mugabe may be ready to
compromise to achieve an honorable exit, but those around
him, principally Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon
Gono, are resistant as they try to maintain their corrupt
emoluments and business interests. Masiyiwa believes
international pressure is critical to impress upon all
parties that international reengagement is dependent upon an
agreement that divests Mugabe of executive authority and
places the balance of power with Tsvangirai and the MDC.
Ambassador to South Africa Bost joined the meeting to
emphasize that the U.S. would not accept a flawed agreement
that involves Mugabe retaining executive authority. END
SUMMARY.
———————-
Status of Negotiations
———————-
.2. (C) Negotiations between ZANU-PF and the MDC are ongoing
in Cape Town, according to Masiyiwa, but are not dealing with
fundamental issues, particularly the allocation of executive
authority. Masiyiwa said Tsvangirai told South African
president and SADC mediator Thabo Mbeki that some progress
had been made but Mugabe’s negotiators (Patrick Chinamasa and
Nicholas Goche) lacked sufficient authority to resolve
fundamental issues. Tsvangirai suggested a parallel process
with direct negotiations between him and Mugabe to be
facilitated by Mbeki. (NOTE: As an indication that ZANU-PF
is serious about the negotiations, ZANU-PF and Mugabe last
week dispatched defense minister Sidney Sekeremayi and
Emmerson Mnangagwa to South Africa to join Chinamasa and
Goche. END NOTE.) Mbeki agreed and said he would identify
the issues to be resolved by the two principals. Masiyiwa
understood from intermediaries that Mugabe was also
receptive. Tsvangirai and Mugabe were to begin discussions
on August 6 or August 7; Mbeki was scheduled to fly to Harare
on August 7. (NOTE: Subsequent to the meeting with
Masiyiwa, we learned that Mbeki will come to Harare on August
.9 with a meeting between Mugabe and Tsvangirai to take place
on August 10. END NOTE.)
——————
Outstanding Issues
——————
.3. (C) Masiyiwa amplified on the Ambassador’s discussion
with Tsvangirai on August 5 (Reftel) in discussing
outstanding issues:
–Roles of Mugabe and Tsvangirai: This is the fundamental
issue. Tsvangirai and the MDC, according to Masiyiwa, are
firm that Mugabe should not retain executive power, but
should serve in a ceremonial role until his retirement.
(22 VIEWS)
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