In September last year, the two factions of the MDC and ZANU PF signed a historic agreement to enter into an all ‘inclusive‘ government to share power in ruling Zimbabwe.

Obviously this was a political solution, even though the MDC had effectively taken the majority in parliament, dethroning ZANU PF for the first time since 1980. Robert Mugabe hung on to the presidency - but only by subjecting the MDC members and their supporters to sound beatings and murders, forcing Morgan Tsvangirai to withdraw from the second round of the election, having won the first round, but not by the required 50% plus one vote.

Section 21 of that agreement read: “Noting the need to allow this agreement to take root amongst the parties and people of Zimbabwe; and

21.1 The Parties hereby agree that for a period of 12 months from the date of signing of this agreement, should any electoral vacancy arise in respect of a local authority or parliamentary seat, for whatever reason, only the party holding that seat prior to the vacancy occurring shall be entitled to nominate and field a candidate to fill the seat subject to that party complying with the rules governing its internal democracy.”

This is obviously to allow the troubled waters in politics in Zimbabwe to settle - but the agreement of a 12 month hiatus is about the run out, and, if Mugabe can help it, an enforced delay or extended preparation term engineered by the pro-Mugabe Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, will cause the ‘ceasefire’ to lapse - at which time ZANU PF can openly contest the vacancies which have been caused by their all-out mission to discredit and imprison MDC MP’s.

“A number of seats in the House of Assembly and Senate fell vacant after some legislators were expelled, died or elected to the positions of Speaker of Parliament and President of the Senate.

Also vacant are Gokwe-Gumunyu (left vacant after the death of a ZANU PF MP), Guruve North (due to the death of a ZANU PF lawmaker) and Bindura North (also after death of ZANU PF legislator).
Law experts said Mugabe was guilty of delaying by-elections because law says the elections should be run after three months a seat falls vacant.”

All of this has been deliberately worked by Mugabe who is a past master at delaying tactics. As it was, the agreement to share power took forever to beat out, whilst the MDC continued to be a target of ZANU PF.

Even as I type he continues to hold out on concessions made on the positions of the Attorney-General and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor who were appointed unilaterally by Mugabe and outside of his remit.

He also continues to baulk on the swearing in of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Roy Bennett, who Mugabe says is facing serious criminal charges and could conceivably be sentenced to life imprisonment…

Mugabe may be fighting on many different fronts, but his determination remains unbroken, his hold on power unceasing.

Agreements to Mugabe mean nothing more than allowing him to fortify his powerbase.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man