ZIMBABWE — HARARE – Zimbabwe’s political rivals were deadlocked in plans to create a unity government and end the country's post-election crisis.

 

President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader, now Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai signed a power-sharing deal Monday and started discussing who gets which cabinet posts of the 31 ministries, meant to be divided evenly Thursday.

 

 

But talks collapsed on Thursday because Mugabe is refusing with the Finance and Home Affairs ministries.

"It is very unfortunate that instead of coming for consultations and negotiations, MDC is resorting to demands to the government and issuing unacceptable threats," said a senior Zanu PF official privy to the negotiations.

 

 

 

 

An MDC spokesman acknowledged the deadlock and said it was willing to sit down with Mugabe with no preconditions.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said: “The talks have been deadlocked but they are not very serious disagreements.

 

Its mainly the distribution of cabinet positions and the case has been referred to the negotiators.”

The dispute centres on key ministries – Finance and Home Affairs - that both sides want.

Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the deal, is talking with both sides, a mediation official in the talks said on condition of anonymity.

 

Observers said the standoff does not bode well for the future of the unity government.
"It's just four days after they signed the accord and they've hit a deadlock.

 

They will be deadlocked throughout. These guys cannot work together unless something radically changes," said political commentator Ronald Shumba.

 

 

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