☰

M. Continuo

Zimbabwe talks to resume under Mbeki mediation


    HARARE (Reuters) - President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and Zimbabwe's opposition are to resume talks to resolve the country's political crisis, state media reported on Tuesday.

    Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told theHerald newspaper that the opposition Movement for DemocraticChange had agreed to the resumption of negotiations withZANU-PF under the mediation of South African President ThaboMbeki.

    "We have received communication ... that they are ready fora resumption of the inter-party talks," Chinamasa said withoutproviding details on when and where the talks would take placeor what would be discussed.

    Tendai Biti, a senior MDC official, declined to confirm ordeny the report.

    MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said the opposition willnot participate in any negotiations until Mugabe's governmenthalts a wave of political violence against his supporters andaccepts his victory in a March 29 presidential election.

    Tsvangirai won that poll but failed to win an outrightmajority. Mugabe was declared the winner of a June 27 run-off,which was boycotted by Tsvangirai and condemned as illegitimateby much of the world.

    Tsvangirai refused to attend talks with Mbeki and Mugabe inHarare on Saturday because that would have endorsed the veteranZimbabwean leader's disputed re-election. Tsvangirai accusesMbeki of favouring Mugabe and has called for expanded mediationby the African Union.

    (Reporting by Nelson Banya; Writing by Paul Simao; Editingby Barry Moody)