Zim political crisis 'nears end'
15/01/2008 15:22  - (SA)  

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Pretoria - A breakthrough in negotiations between Zimbabwe's ruling party and its main opposition party may soon be reached, paving the way for elections in the African nation, says Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Ahern expressed hope that the political crisis in Zimbabwe was nearing an end after a briefing from South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was mediating talks between President Robert Mugabe's government and the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mbeki summoned both sides to the South African capital, Pretoria, last weekend in a bid to revive the stalled talks and get them to sign an agreement that would address constitutional changes and set the stage for elections this year.

"He (Mbeki) would in days be engaged in some of the final aspects of this," Ahern told reporters in Pretoria after meeting with Mbeki and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcucka.

Soaring poverty hits Zim

But Ahern, on a three-day visit to South Africa, said Mbeki also outlined a number of "sticking points" that stand in the way of an agreement. The Irish leader expressed concern at what he described as the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabweans were struggling with soaring poverty, inflation of more than 8 000% and chronic shortages of food and fuel amid an economic crisis that began almost a decade ago, but had worsened in the past year.

Thousands everyday crossed illegally into South Africa to look for food and work.

Mbeki began brokering talks between Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the MDC nearly a year ago at the urging of the Southern African Development Community, a regional grouping of 14 countries that included Zimbabwe.

The discussions, which had stalled several times, had intensified as Zimbabwe drew closer to elections, which were scheduled for March. Some in the MDC had suggested that the polls should be delayed.

Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, had vowed to run for another five-year term despite widespread accusations that his government had abused human rights, rigged previous elections and destroyed the economy.

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