Zimbabwe: Stalemate over power-sharing deal

The talks were brokered by President Mbeki of South Africa. Mbeki has assured the press that the talks have not collapsed, but that Tsvangirai has asked for time to reflect on his position.

On July 21, Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed a memorandum of understanding in a Harare hotel committing them to talks intended to lead to establishing the framework of an inclusive government. With the two men even shaking hands on camera, it was presented as a diplomatic success story.

A deadline of two weeks was set, but the talks have continued longer, and despite a supposed press blackout, the media were given the impression that negotiations were going well.

Mbeki and his team have promoted the possibility that as Mugabe won the presidential election, he would be willing to accept taking on a more ceremonial role and eventually retire, presumably with immunity from the prosecution that Western governments have threatened. Tsvangirai and the MDC leaders would be brought into the regime alongside the Zanu-PF generals.