Zimbabwe’s ruling party and opposition have failed to reach a power-sharing agreement at the summit of Southern African leaders in Johannesburg. The Secretary-General of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Tendai Biti, however says he believes a deal with the ZANU-PF would soon be reached. South African President Thabo Mbeki who is mediating in the crisis earlier said the talks will continue. The MDC insists President Mugabe should surrender his executive powers. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is said to have agreed in principle to take on a powerful prime ministerial role in the new national unity government although the exact balance of power is undecided.
In other business, the 14-member Southern African Development Community agreed to launch a regional trade zone aimed at eliminating import tariffs with plans for a common currency by 2018. Zimbabwe is among SADC countries who will participate in the trade zone. Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo did not join up immediately.
