A team from the Southern African Development Community is expected in Harare in the next two weeks to review progress by the Harare unity government in resolving troublesome issues ahead of a SADC summit meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, later this month, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai disclosed Tuesday.
In a statement, Mr. Tsvangirai said the main concern for his party is the resolution of outstanding issues related to the 2008 Global Political Agreement for power sharing, including the swearing-in as deputy agriculture minister of of Roy Bennett, a senate member and treasurer of Mr. Tsvangirai's formation of the Movement for Democratic Change, and more generally questions of consultation and consensus in governance and decision-making.
The MDC statement quoted Mr. Tsvangirai as saying his party continues to object to unilateral decisions made by President Robert Mugabe, declaring that "He is just a partner in government.”
Mr. Tsvangirai also complained about the continuing broadcast by state radio and television of musical spots praising Mr. Mugabe and ZANU-PF, saying the airing of such jingles is toxic and jeopardizes power sharing.
Meanwhile, sources said South African President Jacob Zuma Tuesday sent envoy Mac Maharaj back to Harare barely a week after he traveled to the Zimbabwean capital for consultations. Maharaj met Mr. Tsvangirai Tuesday morning and was also expected to meet President Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.
The flurry of activity comes ahead of the Southern African Development Community summit, but SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Salomao said it is too early to discuss the mission of the regional group.
Political analyst Trevor Maisiri said the Tsvangirai MDC is likely to be disappointed again by SADC, arguing that there is little the party can do to resolve the issues troubling the power-sharing government.