NationStates Jolt Archive

Zimbabwe's main opposition say they have reached agreement with the government over the Constitutional Amendment bill, in a surprise move.
As the draft legislation went before parliament, senior MDC [Opposition] members said they would not attempt to block it.

The constitutional amendments will pave the way for joint parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008.

A spokeswoman for the MDC said: "This should be regarded as a first step in resolving the national crisis."

The MDC told the BBC that positive developments at the South-African backed mediation talks had led to the breakthrough.

[...] The Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) says Southern African countries are the only ones with a chance of making a difference as Western sanctions have proved to be largely symbolic and the condemnation of the regime by the UK and US has been counter-productive.

The ICG concludes that all countries and institutions should close ranks behind Thabo Mbeki's efforts to mediate between President Mugabe's governing ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC.

The ICG warned that Zimbabwe is closer to complete collapse than ever, with the world's highest inflation rate at 7,500% and soaring unemployment.

It is estimated that four out of five Zimbabweans live below the poverty line and up to a quarter of the country's population has fled.


(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7000314.stm))

The situation is still far from rosy, but I suppose any glimmer of good news...

That depends of whether ZANU-PF is prepared to hold free and fair elections. I doubt they will, but I suppose the MDC will cross that bridge when they get to it.

The "positive" step where they let Mugabe re-write the constitution so he can become god?

Oh right, I thought it was something like "Mugabe dies in a fire, in the printing presses of the Bank of Zimbabwe, also totally killing off the hyperinflation crisis".

But no.

The "positive" step where they let Mugabe re-write the constitution so he can become god?
I think the plans to let Mugabe appoint his own successor must have been dropped, I didn't see any reference to it in the article.

I think the plans to let Mugabe appoint his own successor must have been dropped, I didn't see any reference to it in the article.

MDC are completely spineless. He'll do what he wants and they'll either sing his praises or disappear.

MDC are completely spineless. He'll do what he wants and they'll either sing his praises or disappear.
Undoubtedly true.

Sadly, I have a feeling the only positive step that will have a noticable effect will be when a knife finds its way into Mugabe's chest.