ZIMBABWE:ZIMBABWE'S MAIN opposition party is expected to sign an agreement, perhaps as early as today, that paves the way for power-sharing talks with the ruling regime after African Union (AU) and United Nations diplomats were brought into the process.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai refused to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Harare last Wednesday saying he wanted to see the outcome of a meeting between main mediator South African president Thabo Mbeki and AU chairman Jean Ping.
The memorandum outlines the ground rules and issues to be addressed in the talks, designed to break the deadlock in the aftermath of the country's disputed presidential runoff on June 27th, in which the president, Robert Mugabe, was the only candidate.
Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the election, despite winning the first round in March but not by a majority, because of the escalating state sponsored violence that has left at least 120 opposition supporters dead and thousands missing. It is understood Mr Tsvangirai wanted the added input because he has long held the view that Mr Mbeki, who has been the main mediator in Zimbabwe's crisis since 2006 when he was appointed by the South African Development Community, is biased against the MDC.
"The expansion of the mediation effort is a positive and encouraging development that will embolden the integrity of the process, adds international stamina, stressing the urgent seriousness required to solve this crisis," said MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
After meeting with Mr Mbeki last Friday Mr Ping flew to Harare and met Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai as well as a breakaway MDC faction, the third group involved in the process.
Following the meetings AU spokesman Elghassim Wane said: "He [Ping] is hopeful that a memorandum of understanding, which will outline the talks agenda and ground rules, will be signed tomorrow [Monday] with the MDC being part of it. Tsvangirai has given assurance of this."
Aside from the inclusion of mediators from the UN and AU the MoU calls for an immediate end to the violence gripping the country.
Mr Tsvangirai told South Africa's the Star newspaper on Saturday the newly established broader mediator group would also travel to Harare on Monday to sign up to the MoU.
"I am advised that the reference group with Mbeki is coming to Harare on Monday to sign the memorandum of understanding and we will obviously sign as well. It is a positive step and we look forward to finding the solution we were looking for."
Reports in South Africa suggest the fully fledged talks between the three groups could start as early as this week in Pretoria.
Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga also told the BBC yesterday he expected the MDC and ZANU-PF to sign an agreement, which he hoped would lead to a safe exit from power for Mugabe.