And just like that, Zimbabwe has slipped from the headlines to ‘other stories of interest’ and within a few days I expect it to no longer feature as a story of any interest at all.

Until about six months’ time when someone will remember that the negotiations had a two week deadline and no one has heard a word since the talks began.

Then someone will say that we really shouldn’t expect anything at all from the talks – as the ace mediator Thabo Mbeki is not known for his speed when doing these things, and at least one of the parties in the negotiations is known to be pig-headed, greedy and will hold out for everything that it can get.

For those who think that I am not clear about whom I write, I talk of Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding is about the only advance that the talks have ‘gained’ in almost two years. The MDC almost didn’t sign the agreement – and just as they were obliged to pull out of the second round of the Presidential election to stop the beatings, abductions and killings of their members, they need to participate in the talks to make the reign of terror stop.

Not that the violence has stopped, even though, two days after they signed the agreement, the talks have yet to start – and that agreement states quite clearly that the violence and ill-feeling has got to cease.

“10.1 Security of persons

(a) Each Party will issue a statement condemning the promotion and use of violence and call for peace in the country and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in the perpetration of violence.

(b) The Parties are committed to ensuring that the law is applied fairly and justly to all persons irrespective of political affiliation.

(c) The Parties will take all necessary measures to eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-state actors, and to ensure the security of persons and property.

(d) The Parties agree that, in the interim, they will work together to ensure the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home and that humanitarian and social welfare organisations are enabled to render such assistance as might be required.

10.2 Hate speech

The Parties shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or undermine each other.”

I don’t see any statements being issued by either ZANU PF or the MDC.

And the violence continues.

I grew up in Africa – a few years back now - and whilst I cherish the lifestyle and the wonderful memories, there is one saying that we used to smile about, that is truer today than any other time in my life.

And that saying was: “There’s no hurry in Africa.”

Maybe the mediator, Thabo Mbeki, is determined to prove truth of the saying.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man