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Chance for Zimbabwe

Your editorial “Chance for Zimbabwe” (September 19) started well by analysing the merits of the power-sharing agreement between ZANU-PF and the two MDC formations, but lost its bearings in the end by suggesting that the ultimate desideratum for Zimbabweans was the sidelining of President Robert Mugabe.

The truth is that for Zimbabweans, the key merit of the arrangement brokered by South African President Thabo Mbeki is that it presents an opportunity for reconciliation between parties that can address the basic needs of Zimbabweans if they attain a united focus on Zimbabwe’s sovereign strengths and on its economic and social needs. This is, indeed, what the three signatories to the agreement said clearly during the signing ceremony, and Zimbabwe watchers would do well to take their cue from what Zimbabwean protagonists themselves say.

This agreement has strong prospects of success precisely because it represents an accommodation, in African idiom, between a beloved father and his sons.

What the majority of Zimbabweans hope — and this has been our history — is that this accord, as has been the case in the past, will grow into constructive unity between a popular President (Mugabe) and fellow politicians who represent significant segments of Zimbabwean society.

The ultimate desideratum is that President Mugabe, Prime Minister-designate Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister-designate Mutambara should work together, and not oppose each other.

Jonathan Wutawunashe, Ambassador of Zimbabwe,

New Delhi

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