The 2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations between the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (led by Morgan Tsvangirai), its small splinter group, the Movement for Democratic Change – Mutambara (led by Arthur Mutambara), and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (led by Robert Mugabe) were intended to negotiate an end to the partisan violence and human rights violations in Zimbabwe and create a framework for a power-sharing executive government between the two parties. These negotiations followed the 2008 presidential election, in which Mugabe was controversially re-elected, as well as the 2008 parliamentary election, in which the MDC won a majority in the House of Assembly.
Preliminary talks to set up conditions for official negotiations began between leading negotiators from both parties on 10 July, and on 22 July, the three party leaders met for the first time in Harare to express their support for a negotiated settlement of disputes arising out of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Negotiations between the parties officially began on 25 July in Pretoria, mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki. A final deal was reached on 11 September 2008, providing for Mugabe to remain president while Tsvangirai would become prime minister. The deal was signed on 15 September.
Details of the talks
Preliminary negotiations Mbeki met with Mugabe on 5 July; Arthur Mutambara, Welshman Ncube, and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga of the MDC-Mutambara group also participated in the discussions. Although Tsvangirai's MDC organisation was not invited to participate, it declined to do so, reiterating its refusal to recognise Mugabe as president and saying that discussions should take place only in the presence of an AU-appointed mediator. Mbeki nevertheless expressed hopes that Tsvangirai's party would participate. Patrick Chinamasa stressed that the government was committed to dialogue with both MDC groupings, but said that Tsvangirai had committed "an act of utter disrespect" by failing to appear at the talks. Mutambara also stated that the involvement of all parties was necessary."Mugabe meets opposition faction" , Al Jazeera, 5 July 2008.
Talks between the parties began in Pretoria on 10 July. ZANU-PF and both MDC groupings were present for the talks, although Tsvangirai said that his group's delegation, led by Biti, was present to explain its conditions for negotiations—which included an end to the violence, the release of MDC prisoners, and the appointment of an AU envoy— not to actually participate in negotiations.Nelson Banya, "Zimbabwe opposition denies negotiations started" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 10 July 2008. Chamisa described the discussions as merely "talks about whether to have talks, really just a consultation". ZANU-PF was represented in the talks by Chinamasa and Goche.Barry Bearak, "Zimbabwe opponents begin talking about talks" , International Herald Tribune, 10 July 2008.
In a report from the Human Sciences Research Council, a policy group in South Africa, that was released on 10 July, Peter Kagwanja wrote that violence perpetrated against ZANU-PF by MDC supporters, which he described as having previously been spontaneous, was becoming more organised, and he warned that this increased the possibility of a civil war. Chamisa, however, denied that the MDC had been responsible for any violence."Zimbabwe opposition, gov't talk in South Africa", Associated Press. International Herald Tribune, 10 July 2008.
On 11 July, the MDC said that Gift Mutsvungunu, a party official, had been found dead near Harare on the previous day; his body was said to be burned and his eyes gouged out. The MDC suspected the security forces of responsibility for this killing, and the party said that its total number of dead during the violence had reached 113."Fresh violence clouds early Zimbabwe talks" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 11 July 2008. Chamisa said on 13 July that no agreement had been reached and that the two sides "still have to clear the course for meaningful talks". According to Chamisa, violence against MDC members and supporters was continuing, and he said that it was "difficult to engage in meaningful dialogue" under the circumstances. Zimbabwe's Sunday Mail, however, reported on the same day that an agreement had been reached on a "working framework" for talks.Nelson Banya, "MDC says Zimbabwe talks in stalemate", Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 13 July 2008.
14 MDC activists, who were being held on charges of violence, were acquitted and released on 14 July, according to the MDC. This followed the death on the same day of a police officer who was the key witness against the activists."Zimbabwe opposition says 14 activists freed" , Associated Press. International Herald Tribune, 15 July 2008. On 15 July, church leaders in Zimbabwe said that the "will of the people of Zimbabwe was not given authentic expression during these elections" due to the violence, and they expressed willingness to assist in making arrangements for the formation of a national unity government.MacDonald Dzirutwe, "Zimbabwe Christian churches reject Mugabe victory" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 15 July 2008.
Mugabe launched a food subsidy programme on 16 July; this programme, involving coupons for food, was designed to counter continually rising inflation and what Mugabe described as "unjust price increases" by private businesses. He also accused the UK of seeking to control Zimbabwe's resources on this occasion. Also on 16 July, the pro-MDC Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions condemned the second round and urged the appointment of a prominent AU envoy to assist in mediation.MacDonald Dzirutwe, "Mugabe lashes out at Britain" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 16 July 2008.
Agreement and Memorandum Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on 20 July that the two parties had "agreed a framework for negotiation" and that he expected this agreement to be signed later in the same week. According to Odinga, the talks that would follow this agreement would be held in Pretoria and would still be mediated by Mbeki, but with AU and UN supervision."Odinga says Zimbabwe opposition ready for talks" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 20 July 2008. Also on 20 July, Zimbabwe's Sunday Mail reported that any companies with Western investments would be taken over by Zimbabweans or by "companies from friendly countries, particularly those in the Far East" if they acted on Western calls to stop doing business in Zimbabwe.Cris Chinaka, "Mugabe threatens to seize foreign firms" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 20 July 2008.
ZANU-PF and both groups of the MDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a framework for talks on 21 July in Harare. Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai were present to sign the agreement; they shook hands on this occasion, and it was reportedly the first time they had met in about 10 years. According to Mbeki, who was also present, the agreement "commits the negotiating parties to an intense program of work to try and finalize negotiations as quickly as possible". Mugabe said that the aim of the talks was to "chart a new way, a new way of political interaction", while Tsvangirai described the agreement as "the first tentative step towards searching for a solution for a country that is in crisis".Alan Cowell, "Zimbabwe rivals sign agreement" , International Herald Tribune, 21 July 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties agreed to end political violence and work towards a national unity government and a new constitution; the agreement also required that the parties not use the media as a means of negotiation and set the period for negotiations at two weeks.Alan Cowell and Graham Bowley, "Zimbabwe talks set to begin" , International Herald Tribune, 22 July 2008. Mbeki's spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga subsequently said that this was not a strict limit and talks could continue after two weeks if necessary."Zimbabwe's governing party and opposition begin talks" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 24 July 2008.
Round 1 (22 – 30 July) Following the preliminary agreement, talks between ZANU-PF and the MDC reportedly began on 22 July in South Africa."Zimbabwe power-sharing talks begin, as EU slaps sanctions on Mugabe supporters" , Reuters and the Associated Press. International Herald Tribune, 22 July 2008. Ratshitanga said on 23 July that the talks had begun at an undisclosed location, but Chinamasa said that they were to start on 24 July."South Africa says Zimbabwe power-sharing talks under way; Zimbabwe negotiator says Thursday" , Associated Press. International Herald Tribune, 23 July 2008. The Herald reported on 24 July that negotiating teams for both parties took the same flight to South Africa on 23 July. Meanwhile, the South African newspaper Business Day reported that the two sides had already reached agreement on most of the issues, although details remained to be decided.
The Herald reported on 25 July that the ZANU-PF Politburo had decided that any agreement with the opposition must leave Mugabe in office as president and must not threaten land reform.Nelson Banya, "Ruling party says Mugabe must lead unity government" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 25 July 2008. Ratshitanga said on 26 July that the talks were "proceeding well", although he gave no details."'Zim talks making progress'", Sapa-AFP. Independent Online, 27 July 2008.
Stalling On 28 July, an MDC official said that the talks had stalled due to disagreement on the question of who would lead the government; according to the official, Tsvangirai had been offered the position of vice-president, but the MDC was unwilling to accept any deal that did not place Tsvangirai at the head of the government. Speaking on 29 July, however, Mbeki said that the talks were continuing and that they were going "very well"."Mbeki denies Zimbabwe negotiations deadlocked" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 29 July 2008. The talks adjourned on 29 July. Mbeki said on 30 July that the talks were adjourned so that the negotiators could consult with their leaders and that they would resume on 3 August. He met with Tsvangirai in Pretoria on 29 July and with Mugabe in Harare on 30 July. For his part, Mugabe said that the talks were going well and that the negotiators were working towards a compromise.MacDonald Dzirutwe, "Zimbabwe's crisis talks to resume Sunday" , Reuters. International Herald Tribune, 30 July 2008.
Speaking on 30 July, Tsvangirai expressed his hope that the negotiations would result in an "honourable exit" for Mugabe; he also said that Mugabe was "just as human as every one of us", while asserting that he was "ignorant, or chooses to be in denial, as far as the violence is concerned"."Mugabe is 'just as human' – Tsvangirai", Daily News, South Africa. Independent Online, 31 July 2008, page 2. During a visit to Senegal in which he met with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, Tsvangirai said on 31 July that he was "fairly satisfied" with the way the negotiations were proceeding, while acknowledging that some "sticking points" remained."Zim talks deadline is 'flexible'", Reuters. Independent Online, 31 July 2008.
An explosion occurred at Harare's central police station late on 2 August, damaging it but causing no casualties. According to a police statement, the explosion was caused by a bomb planted on the building's first floor; it said that one additional bomb that had not exploded was recovered from the scene."Police station bomb 'planted'", Sapa-AFP. Independent Online, 3 August 2008.
Round 2 (3 – 12 August)