Thanks to HistoryMatters we now have the full test of the MOU that Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change-T and Arthur Mutambura of the MDC, signed the following agreement in Harare on Monday, July 21, 2008, in the presence of Southern African Development Community facilitator President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. The full text is here:

http://www.theshebeen.org/blogs/hist...nu-pf-mdc.html

So - now that the dialogue is underway, what do you think are the chances of success? Will ZANU-PF cease the violence perpetrated on the MDC? Will MDC rise to the challenge of negotiating with ZANU and find an inclusive settlement?

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"Nothing is complete and thus nothing is exempt from criticism." - James Luther Adams:

We will have to wait and see - the problem is that not many people are taking into account the fact that Robert Mugabe is a rough leader heading an organisation against the will of the people of Zimbabwe. I find this particularly so in South Africa where democracy is supposed to be taken very seriously. In recent times it has not been possible to list a single positive attribute made by Zanu-PF - remember there is no government, only a country in turmoil by it´s so called leading party.

The world has taken the doings of Mr Mugabe for to lightly and have come out in force for crimes far less. In some instances, military interventions was used. South Africa with the co-operation of the AU and SADC could have averted the situation that has emerged in Zimbabwe within 48 hours by forcing Mugabe and his cronies out of office and imposing the will of the people as declared by their vote on March 29.

My question is, why is Mugabe being treated with kit gloves by some African leaders, what is the deal with Thabo Mbeki, the mighty economy of the south powerless against this fallen down country of Zimbabwe, why has Mugabe been allowed to even show face? Can someone please explain. I see people being harshly punished for petty crimes while the Mugabe beast gets away with murder. What´s up??

Derek van Oudtshoorn
Cape Town
South Africa