Zimbabwe’s Mugabe vows unity, brushes off critics

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe vowed to work with one-time rival Morgan Tsvangarai as Zimbabwe yesterday marked the signing of a unity deal one year ago, but brushed off criticism of failing the fragile pact.

The inclusive government, formed by the two leaders five months after the pact was penned, has helped steer Zimbabwe’s return from crisis but still faces deep-rooted challenges after nearly a decade of political tensions.’If we could work with (Zimbabwe’s last white ruler) Ian Smith, how can we not work with Morgan Tsvangirai?’ state media reported Mugabe as telling a landmark European Union visit at the weekend.’I am saying this because some people doubt ‘can this man work with the opposition?’. We have done it before and at a time when vengeful feelings were running high. It’s the issue once again but this time with our own people.’The two leaders met the EU delegation onSaturday in the first such visit to Harare in seven years which noted progress by the unity government but slammed reports of rights abuses and called for greater reforms.The bloc also rejected calls for an end to sanctions imposed against Mugabe and his inner circle, which include a travel ban and a freeze on bank accounts.But Mugabe told the EU team that neither he nor his Zanu-PF party were derailing the unity pact and that no outstanding issues remained, officials at the meetings told the Herald newspaper.’If it’s about the spirit of inclusivity, satisfaction must come from both sides,’ he said. ‘What satisfaction is there when one side is restricted while the other is free to roam?’Mugabe explained away concerns around arrests of MDC lawmakers, key government appointments, and a new constitution, reported the Herald, which also dedicated a page to comments from analysts who blamed Tsvangirai for scuttling progress of the unity government.The veteran leader has been accused of dragging his feet over reforming media laws and the security forces, while Tsvangarai on Sunday charged Zanu-PF with targeting his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters.The MDC leader joined Mugabe in a unity government in February after last year’s failed elections.After the deal was signed on September 15, 2008, after nearly a decade of political turmoil, it took another five months to install the unity government, after a bitter brawl over who would control the most powerful posts.Mugabe told the EU that the only issue that could be regarded as outstanding was the swearing in of MDC deputy agriculture minister Roy Bennett who was arrested for treason on the day that the new cabinet was sworn in.’We have not taken the post away from MDC-T (Tsvangirai). We have simply said if he is cleared (by the courts) he will be appointed the next day but if he is not, tough luck,’ Mugabe said.Delays in drawing up a new constitution were put on the MDC, with Mugabe also saying that Gideon Gono, whose continued governorship of the central bank is bitterly disputed by the MDC, should serve out his five-year term.’We don’t regard it right for others to ask how we govern ourselves,’ he reportedly told the visiting team. ‘The EU should not behave as if we belong to their community, we don’t!’The unity pact followed months of unrest after the MDC last year seized a parliamentary majority and Mugabe was defeated in a first-round presidential vote.Tsvangirai pulled out of the runoff, citing a wave of deadly attacks on his supporters that MDC says left more than 200 dead. – Nampa-AFP