Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today signed a deal laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power sharing government to end a deep political crisis.
It was the first meeting between the two rivals, who are said to detest each other, in 10 years. They sat at a conference table separated by South African President Thabo Mbeki who mediated the deal.
The preliminary agreement was signed in Harare's Rainbow Towers Hotel after weeks of deadlock since Mr Mugabe was re-elected on June 27th in a widely condemned poll boycotted by Mr Tsvangirai because of violence against his supporters.
Mr Mbeki said the agreement committed both sides to an intense process to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible. "All parties recognise the urgency," he said.
Officials from both sides said the framework agreement sets a two-week deadline for the government and two factions of the opposition MDC to discuss key issues including a unity government and how to hold new elections.
Mr Mbeki flew to Harare to witness the signing.
A government of national unity has been pushed as a solution to the crisis by the African Union and the regional body SADC (Southern African Development Community), both deeply concerned by Zimbabwe's political violence and an economic crisis that has flooded neighbouring states with millions of refugees.
Mr Tsvangirai's MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) and Mr Mugabe's ZANU-PF are also committed under the agreement to ease political tension within the two-week deadline, officials said.
Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai have been under heavy world and African pressure to enter negotiations, which are expected to be extremely tough. They have both demanded to be recognised as Zimbabwe's rightful president.
Zimbabwe's economic collapse under Mugabe's 28-year rule has plunged the once prosperous country into inflation of at least 2 million percent as well as crippling food and fuel shortages.
Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition faction, had previously refused to sign even a framework deal unless government militias stop violence he says has killed 120 of his supporters. He also demanded that Mr Mugabe recognise his victory in the first round of the presidential poll on March 29th.
The MDC leader pulled out of the run-off because of the heavy violence between the two rounds.
Mr Mugabe (84) blames the opposition for the bloodshed.
Reuters