- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has called for fresh elections which will be monitored by the Southern African Development Community, African union and the International Community, citing lack of progress in the coalition government. The pact signed a year ago between President Robert Mugabe,Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Arthur Mutambara has failed to iron out stalling issues despite the intervention of the SADC. In a statement, ZCTU’s acting general secretary Japhet Moyo said the coalition government has been characterised by impasses, name calling and mistrust among the political parties while the majority of Zimbabweans continue to suffer. Moyo add…

- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on for nationwide protests over the maximum withdrawal limits imposed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe-- by thronging their respective banks and demand their money on December 3 . Addressing a media conference in Harare at the labour centre, the President of the ZCTU Lovemore Matombo said his organization has been urging the RBZ to remove the cap on cash withdrawals but the central bank was not taking them seriously. Matombo said after strenuous consultations through labour forums which were held throughout the country, ZCTU general council –which is the decision making body resolved in Masvingo on November 25 that a nation…

Days when Zimbabwe was treated with kids' gloves are over, South Africa has said. SA's decision to take a tough stance towards the former "bread basket of South Africa" comes ahead of Sunday's SADC summit on the crisis in Zimbabwe. It is still facing difficulties forming an all inclusive government. - The 15-member SADC bloc seeks to end the tension between Zimbabwe’s political leaders who have been worlds apart over the allocation of key ministries following the signing of the historic power-sharing deal on September 15, 2008. In a press briefing on Thursday, South African spokesperson Themba Maseko said his government would depart from its quiet diplomacy …

SADC leaders would meet in South Africa on Sunday to resolve the political stalemate between Zimbabwe's political leaders over the allocation of key ministries after the SADC troika on security, justice and defense failed to reach a consensus on October 27. - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, MorganTsvangirai of the mainstream MDC and Arthur Mutambara of the breakaway MDC signed a power sharing deal on September 15 in which they all agreed to work together but the formation of the inclusive government have been stalled following disagreements over the allocation of key ministries. Mugabe wants to grab all the key ministries. South Africa’s foreign ministry spokesman Ronnie Ma…

Zanu PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa admitted he altered the power agreement signed on September 15 and "accidentally" deleting some clauses of the power sharing deal. The secretary general and chief negotiator of the breakaway MDC, Welshman Ncube confirmed that the deal was tampered with. - Ncube quashed rumours that he together with Chinamasa altered the document and told that it was Zanu PF negotiator, Patrick Chinamasa who made the changes to the power deal that seeks to end the economic and political situation in the country, according to SWRadio Africa. Last week, rumours had it that Chinamasa, Ncube and Thabo Mbeki’s own representative, Mujanku Gumbi, had team…

- The world stood ready to assist Zimbabwe with its political and economic reconstruction only if the power deal reflects the will of the people United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband have said. Soon after the signing of the power sharing deal on September 15 between Zanu PF and two factions of the MDC, the European Union and her allies said they will not lift the sanctions until they assess the deal regarded as the only way out off the Zimbabwean crisis. Miliband said aide will only be channeled to Zimbabwe if the new government to be formed reflects a new approach adding that financial and travel sanctions imposed by European countries and her allies targeted only “ind…

The power sharing deal signed between Zanu PF and two formations of the MDC was a compromised deal, Zimbabwe's labour movement, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) and the Movement for Democratic Change have agreed. - Speaking to reporters on Monday, ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo said after discussions with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on 27 September at a local hotel, it was agreed that the deal was a flawed process. “After a briefing with Mr. Tsvangirai, it was agreed there were some differences and some issues would be subject to further discussion,” said Matombo. Matombo said Tsvangirai made it clear that “this was not the best he hoped for, but a compromi…

The world stood ready to assist Zimbabwe with its political and economic reconstruction only if the power deal reflects the will of the people, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband have stated. The deal was reached on September 15 between rivals - Zanu PF and the two factions of the MDC. - Soon after the signing of the power sharing deal, the European Union and her allies said they would not lift the sanctions until they assess the deal regarded as the only way out off the Zimbabwean crisis. Miliband said aide will only be channeled to Zimbabwe if the new government to be formed reflects a new approach adding that financial and travel sanctions imposed by European countries and…

- President Mugabe has broken his silence on the resignation of South African President, Thabo Mbeki and said it was devastating at a time when they were celebrating his breakthrough to the country’s crisis. Speaking in New York where he is attending the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Mugabe said he was deeply concerned about Mbeki’s decision. President Thabo Mbeki was the SADC appointed mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis talks. His resignation has come at a time when he was celebrating his breakthrough after he managed to convince Zimbabwe’s prominent leaders—to agree on the power sharing deal and bring normalcy into the country. Presiden…

The Zimbabwean government secured 55 million euros in credit from Egypt-based African Export-Import Bank only a week after the official signing of the power sharing deal. The credit funds will be channeled to the importation of grain and oil which has been in short supply, the Sunday Mail reported. - The credit facility was secured after a presentation by the country's central bank chief, Gideon Gono, during Afreximbank's annual general meeting in Morocco. Afreximbank’s senior director, B. Oramah, in a letter written to the Reserve Bank Governor Gono, said the credit deal was aimed at assisting Zimbabwe, currently suffering from a massive economic crisis. Afreximbank is a …

- SADC mediator President Thabo Mbeki may soon return to Zimbabwe after-the three principals—Arthur Mutambara, Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe reached an impasse over the appointment of cabinet ministers only four days after the signing of the power deal on Monday. The three leaders buried their political differences and endorsed a power sharing deal as a prelude to the resuscitation of the country’s economy which was dormant for ten years. After snubbing the first meeting which was penciled for Tuesday, president Mugabe met his two counterparts—Prime minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara to discuss the composition of…

- ZANU PF’s decision making body, the Politburo is bitter about the power deal signed on Monday between Zimbabwe’s biggest political leaders to deal with the economic and political malaise. After the official signing of the power sharing deal, Zanu PF politburo met on Tuesday at the party headquarters in Harare in which some hardliners party members were rebelling against the deal signed on Monday. The Politburo alleged that Zanu PF negotiators made too many concessions to the opposition MDC prompting the party to be divided over who will have roles in the new government set up. However, the Politburo resolved that key ministries of Finance, Home Affairs and Defence will…

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe issued a new $1000 bank note on Wednesday to harness the incessant cash shortage that has characterized the country for a couple of years. The new note comes after the central bank introduced a new family of notes in August after he slashed ten zeros to ease transactions. - The central bank said: “Introducing the new 1000 Zimbabwe dollar note was for your (Zimbabweans) convenience.” It had imposed maximum withdrawal limits of $500 dollars which hardly buy nothing as a measure of controlling inflation which they believe was being fuelled by the continuous printing of money. However as a result, thousands of people are spending most of the time queui…

The European Union has welcomed the power sharing deal signed on Monday but said it will not change the targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe as they are still assessing the deal. It would see MDC's Tsvangirai and his long time rival Mugabe working together to resuscitate the Zimbabwean economy. - “We welcome very much the agreement and we hope we see the agreement implemented,” EU foreign policy Chief, Javier Solana said. “The sanctions for the moment will not be changed today, the decision will be probably taken in October,” he added in Brussels. “We have to analyze it (the deal) in more detail,” said Solana. “We are still not sure what is g…

- The power sharing deal expected to bring normalcy in the country was finally signed in Harare on Monday by leaders of the largest political formations. The three principles-- Arthur Mutambara of the breakaway MDC, Robert Mugabe-- Zanu PF and Morgan Tsvangirai-- MDC agreed to a power sharing deal on the 11th of September that would end the ten year old crisis currently facing the country. The nation was relieved last week after news filtered through that Tsvangirai had agreed to the power sharing deal after his sentiments that he would whatsoever sign a deal that does not represent the will of the people of Zimbabwe. In his address to the mammoth crowd that thronged Rainbow Tours H…

Zimbabweans are celebrating a major breakthrough ever in their political history as a power-sharing deal was reached on Thursday, just when the US were remembering September 11, 2001. Zimbabwe's political rivals would seal the deal on Monday to end the turmoil. - Announcing the much-waited outcome of the talks, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was in Harare since Monday said a pact had been reached at last. “An agreement has been reached on all items on the agenda and all of them endorsed the document,” he said as he emerged from the hotel. He added: “We never paid any attention to criticism about quiet diplomacy. All diplomacy is quiet, if it isn’t qu…

Goods would soon be sold in foreign currencies as part the Zimbabwean government's plan to curb inflation which is now 20 million percent. Traders have been frequently visiting neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana to buy groceries due to the rising cost of living in the country. - “We have watched and observed with heavy hearts the suffering of fellow Zimbabweans as they wait at the borders as they bring in basic commodities since they are scarcely available on the local market” the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono said. He said local producers would now export their products to licensed retailers and wholesalers who will be selling th…

Mugabe and rival Tsvangirai hope to address outstanding issues on Wednesday. The two parties are optimistic that a positive outcome would be reached at the power-sharing talks ongoing in the capital Harare. It is reported that Mugabe has agreed to become a ceremonial president under a new deal. - The mediator, Thabo Mbeki arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday after which the power-sharing talks resumed. The three principals - Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC and Arthur Mutambara of the breakaway MDC - are optimistic that the deal would be endorsed on Wednesday. "As you are aware these talks have been dragging on for some time now, but I must say that there is a positive…

Tsvangirai has called for fresh polls in Zimbabwe under the watch of international observers if President Mugabe remains reluctant to cede power in an effort to end the country's crisis. He said it would be better for the MDC to pull out of power-sharing talks than accept an unsatisfactory agreement. - The opposition leader said on Sunday that he would not be forced to sign a “suicidal deal” that would change nothing but aggravate the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe. He was speaking at the Movement for Democratic Change's ninth anniversary rally. Tsvangirai said his signature does not only represent his interests but that of the people of Zimbabwe who voted Mugab…

- The incumbent leader, Robert Mugabe has given the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) until Thursday to endorse the power sharing deal or he will have the green light to form a government. Speaking after his return from Zambia where he was attending the burial of the late Zambian leader Levy Mwanawas, Mugabe said if Tsvangirai fails to sign the power sharing agreement, he will certainly set a cabinet. Mugabe said he was empowered by the people on the June 27 presidential election run off and should form a government that will address the peoples’ problems. "If after tomorrow [Thursday], Tsvangirai does not want to sign, we will certainly put together a cabin…

African Union has pressed for an equal power sharing deal in Zimbabwe to save the country from plunging further into serious political and economic turmoil. The continental body wants the two largest political formations - Zanu PF and Movement for Democratic Change to break the stalemate now. - Tanzania which currently holds chairmanship of the AU, said a rapid resolution of the power sharing deal should be agreed to bring normalcy to a country once a basket of Southern Africa. Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said AU wants to see a 50-50 power-sharing deal aimed at giving powers to the incumbent Robert Mugabe and MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai. "There is a problem and we…

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has called on Zimbabwe's rival parties in the negotiating parties to quickly finalise the talks to find a long lasting solution to the political and economic standstill as this had triggered a further business decline in the country. - CZI, president Callisto Jokonya said in a weekly newspaper that the economy has continued to plunge deeper in an abyss since the talks were adjourned. Since the collapse of the talks this month, the prices of basic foodstuffs and services have escalated beyond the reach of many while companies and industries continue to register low capacity of production. "Business is concerned with the delay of …

President Robert Mugabe who was jeered and booed by opposition Movement for Democratic Change legislators while opening the 7th session of the parliament on Tuesday is expected to continue breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) accord by appointing his cabinet soon. - The state owned mouthpiece, The Herald reported on Wednesday that the incumbent leader was in the process of naming his cabinet and end the political and economic situation which he has failed to deal with during the last ten years. At a lunch to mark the official opening of the Parliament which did not live to it's expectation, President Mugabe said: "We shall soon be setting up a Government but "I…

President Robert Mugabe opened the 7th session of parliament on Tuesday in defiance of opposition Movement for Democratic Change MPs who said Mugabe had no right to open the Parliament. - In his speech, Mugabe said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was expected to sign the power sharing deal and end the economic and political crisis in the country. However, legislators from the Movement for Democratic Change still basking in the glory of winning the Speaker of Parliament chanted that Zanu PF is rotten adding that they have a pact with the people of Zimbabwe. On Monday, the opposition parliamentarians had revealed that they would not attend the opening of the 7th session of parliament. …

Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU PF decided not to field a candidate for the powerful speaker of parliament post, fearing a disappointing beating at the hands of the MDC. They then decided to support a candidate from the smaller faction of the MDC, Paul Themba Nyathi, in an effort to neutralize the main MDC's hold on power in the country. - However, the move proved costly as Nyathi lost to MDC national chairman Lovemore Moyo, who polled a total of 110 votes against Nyathi's 98. Even tactical moves by the police to reduce the number of MDC MPs could not help's presence Simple calculations from the outcome of the poll indicate that at least two or three Zanu PF MPs voted fo…

President Robert Mugabe was at his game again on Sunday when he appointed eight resident ministers and governors ahead of the parliamentary swearing in ceremony on Monday despite the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). - Zanu PF chief negotiator and loosing candidate in the March 29 harmonised election, Patrick Chinamasa bounced back as non-constituency senator together with former Speaker of Parliament John Nkomo and vice president Joseph Musika. Mugabe also retained a number of loosing candidates in the March elections to boost his support in the lower and upper houses. Former minister of Education and Culture and newly elected headman for a Wedza Village, Aneas Chigweder…

The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai has vowed that his party is not interested in positions only but real power that will see the country ending the political and economic suffering. - Tsvangirai who embarked on a regional tour to mobilize support was speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Kenya where he is visiting the newly elected Prime Minister in the power sharing deal, Raila Odinga. Tsvangirai said disagreements concerning the proposed role of the Prime Minister and President had derailed the talks. Despite the reluctance by other parties involved in the [power sharing talks, Tsvangirai broke the silence and said the major sticking point wa…

ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe has expressed his condolences to the Republic of Zambia and the Mwanawasa family following the untimely death of Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday. - In a statement to the Zambian vice president Mr Rupiah Banda, President Mugabe said he had learnt with profound shock and sorrow of the untimely death of a brother and a colleague. "President Robert Mugabe would like to convey his heartfelt condolences on behalf of government and the people of Zimbabwe," read an excerpt of the statement adding that Zimbabwe shares Zambia's sorrow during this time of mourning. President Mwanawasa passed away on Tuesday in France after suffering a se…

The Zimbabwean Parliament will finally convene next week, the clerk of parliament, Austin Zvoma. He was speaking on the national television and radio. He said the swearing in ceremony would take place on Monday or Tuesday. However, the Movement for Democratic Change had mixed reactions. - The opposition Movement for Democratic Change for the first time won the Parliamentary elections making Zanu PF the opposition party. The MDC party won a combined 109 seats against 97 for Mugabe's party. SADC leaders at the just ended heads of state summit in South Africa urged Zimbabwe's political parties to convene parliament and ensure that legislators execute their duties while negotiation…

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a French hospital on Tuesday after suffering a stroke in June, Vice President Rupiah Banda said. - The late president was 59 years of age. "Fellow countrymen, with deep sorrow and grief, I would like to inform the people of Zambia that our president Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa died this morning at 1030 hours (0830 GMT)," Banda said on state television. "I also wish to inform the nation that national mourning starts today and will be for seven days." he said The vice president early this week announced that Mwanawasa's was in a comma adding that the Zambian leader had been responding well to treatment before he lapsed i…

University of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr Lovemore Madhuku has called on MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai to pull out of the power sharing talks since Robert Mugabe has rejected to give him the executive powers - Commenting on the just ended SADC heads of state summit held in South Africa, Madhuku who is the chairman of National Constitutional Assembly said it was well known that Mugabe will never give Tsvangirai the powers to rule the country. The SADC heads of state summit also failed to break the political impasse on Zimbabwe although the talks were also held on the sidelines of the summit. Madhuku said despite the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) both parties had failed to r…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Sunday said the power sharing government between the opposition MDC and Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF should be formed on the basis of the March 29 elections that were won by the MDC. - In a communiqué adopted after the end of the two day summit in Johannesburg, South Africa which failed to break the Zimbabwean political impasse, SADC said Parliament must be convened - saying that, while negotiations are continuing. SADC said it is very crucial to convene Parliament to give effect to the will of the people as expressed on March.The opposition MDC party won the March 29 elections with a two third majority in Parliament, with Zanu PF bein…

- The Republic of Botswana will boycott the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will boycott a weekend summit in South Africa if the incumbent President Robert Mugabe is invited because they do not recognize him as the legal President, the foreign ministry said on Friday. President Seretse Khama Ian Khama's is among a host of other African and international leaders who are not regarding Robert Mugabe as a democratic and legal President of Zimbabwe following his re-election in the June Presidential election run off. Botswana's foreign ministry said in a statement that Zimbabwe's current government should not be represented at a political level of the 14-membe…

Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested on Thursday and his passport seized as he was about to leave Harare International Airport for the SADC summit in South Africa. Also MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti and other senior officials were prevented from flying to Johannesburg - “This is simply an attempt to prevent Morgan Tsvangirai from attending the SADC meeting, to which he has been invited,” MDC Presidential spokesman George Sibotshiwe said. “This is a demonstration of a lack of sincerity on the part of the government of Robert Mugabe”, Sibotshiwe said. The SADC on Wednesday invited key political leaders to attend the summit following confusion a…

The power sharing talks between Zimbabwe political rivals Zanu PF and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) continue to be in limbo after Morgan Tsvangirai refused to sign the power sharing and walked out of the negotiating room at a local hotel. - Morgan Tsvangirai said the power sharing deal he is being forced to endorse does not reflect the will of the people. Tsvangirai's reluctance follows a five-hour meeting on Monday and a marathon session on Sunday that lasted more than 13 hours. The state owned newspaper, The Herald reported that Robert Mugabe and leader of the smaller faction of the MDC had signed the power sharing deal paving way for Robert Mugabe…

SADC appointed mediator and South African President Thabo Mbeki, arrived in Zimbabwe late on Wednesday to meet his Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe and the leader of the smaller faction of the MDC, Arthur Mutambara as the negotiating talks are adjourned after leadership role differences. - President Mbeki confirmed that although the talks had been adjourned, they were progressing well and expected them to resume at the end of the week. He said the negotiators had gone back to Harare to consult their leaders on leadership roles. Reports from Tswane, South Africa revealed that the talks had hit a snag after the Zanu PF negotiating team said they could only offer Tsvangirai a position …

Uncertainty is gripping the Zimbabwean government amid fears that it may fail to pay civil servants their monthly salaries. This comes after the Germany company Giesecke & Devrient, that was providing the paper, was pressured by the German government to cut supplies, in protest of the doubtful victory of President Mugabe. - In trying to mitigate the effects, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Gideon Gono who on the Zimbabwean sanction list have invested vast amounts of cash in the Kadoma Paper Mills. The company revealed that it would produce the paper needed to produce the paper but face an acute shortage of water. However, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) availed funds to drill at…

The inter-party talks between Zanu PF and the two formations of the MDC started yesterday in South Africa. But many Zimbabweans are pessimistic that the opposition MDC will be annihilated by the status quo. - The two political parties signed the MoU on Monday that would enable the parties to negotiate the future of the country but some are of the view that the opposition MDC led by first round winner and the country’s favourite, Morgan Tsvangirai (photo) should exercise maximum caution because Zanu PF is capable of doing anything. Before the signing of the pact, MDC formation had said they would not enter into any negotiations with Zanu PF after the incumbent was declared winner in …

Zimbabwe's political leaders eased their tension on Monday after they unanimously signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over a negotiating deal aimed at ending the massive suffering in the country. - The ruling party Zanu-PF and two formations of the MDC finally signed the (MoU) to kick start the negotiating talks that are expected to last two weeks. The three—Arthur Mutambara of the smaller faction of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai of the larger formation and Robert Mugabe were also embroiled in a handshake after the signing. This becomes the first handshake between Mugabe and Tsvangirai since the formation of the MDC in August 1999. The endorsement of the MoU is meant t…

The United States of America has said it is working on other modalities to punish the government of Robert Mugabe despite the stance of China and Russia to block sanctions. The two countries vetoed last week a UN security Council's resolution against Mugabe. - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, told a Senate hearing later Tuesday that the new U.S. sanctions will target both individuals and government institutions. Frazer said the US was working closely with the European and African countries to exert pressure on Mugabe's government through sanctions. Frazer criticized China and Russia for their Security Council vetoes. "Most certainly they …

The political crisis in Zimbabwe is adding to the to the long list of problems South Africa is facing in its preparation for World Cup 2010, including security concerns. FIFA's secretary general Jerome Valcke urged on Wednesday president Thabo Mbeki to find a quick solution - ‘It would have been nice for South Africa, with all the other challenges they are facing, not to have the problem of Zimbabwe on top of it all. We add our voice to concerns and we fully support what is being done by all international organizations,’ Valcke said. FIFA President Sepp Blatter last week said the political impasse in Zimbabwe was likely to affect the World Cup because some of the teams w…

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) on Monday said they want former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan or South African statesman Cyril Ramaphosa to be part of the mediation team if they are to enter into inter party talks with President Robert Mugabe - The MDC last week told the African Union summit in Egypt that they want an expanded mediation team in Zimbabwe which will work hand and glove with the South African President Thabo Mbeki in resolving the Zimbabwean crisis. George Sibothsiwe, the opposition leader’s spokesperson confirmed the latest development on Monday saying a political mogul like Koffi Annan would be welcome to solve the situation in the country adding that this…

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a Paris hospital on Thursday after suffering a stroke earlier this week. Mwanawasa, 59, was rushed to hospital on Sunday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he was urgently transferred to France for further treatment. - Mwanawasa was unable to attend the African Union summit where he was highly expected to face Robert Mugabe after he declared himself winner in the June 27 presidential run off after opposition leader pulled out. “He passed on this morning,” Malone Zaza, identified as the high commission spokesman, told the radio. Mwanawasa chaired the Southern African Development Community, which has been mediating betwee…

US Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday held a conversation with opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on the way the ruling Zanu PF party has treated him and his party during the presidential run off campaign and on his decision to pull out of the race. - “I have spoken with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to share my deep concern for the way his supporters are being targeted by the regime, and to express my admiration for his efforts to ensure that the will of the Zimbabwean people is finally respected,” Obama said in a written statement. “The Zimbabwean government’s campaign of repression and brutality has made it impossible for the June 27 elections to b…

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has called for an emergency summit in the Swaziland capital Mbanane to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis, especially Morgan Tsvangirai's pull out from the discredited presidential run off scheduled for June 27. - In a statement SADC said the meeting will be attended by SADC members and other members of the bloc. “It will be attended by some SADC members as well as members of the bloc’s security organ namely Swaziland, Angola and Tanzania.” On Monday SADC foreign ministers convened in Angola and discussed the Zimbabwean political situation characterised by president Robert Mugabe's continued holding on power. Ch…

US presidential candidate Barack Obama has expressed concern over the deplorable economic and political situation in Zimbabwe in the past eight years. Commenting on the Zimbabwean crisis, Obama said he is deeply affected by the government's move to suspend humanitarian aid.. - “I remain deeply concerned about the crisis in Zimbabwe, where the government of Robert Mugabe last week banned the operations of humanitarian agencies working across the country.” Said Obama Labour and Social Welfare minister Nicholas Goche suspended last week all non governmental organizations operating in the country for allegedly supporting the Movement for Democratic Change in the March 29 harm…

- Zimbabwean opposition parties have complained over continued intimidation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and state violence as we are only 21 days away from the elections. The MDC Tsvangirai lead faction raised complaints with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission against intimidation and rampant arrests of its members by state agents. The Tsvangirai camp also said the Zimbabwean camp cannot afford free and fair elections in Zimbabwe given the mechanisms of rigging that Zimbabwe has been used to. Recently MDC candidate for Saint Mary’s Marvelous Khumalo was arrested in Chitungwiza for allegedly political violence and is still behind bars after the government denied them bail…

The much awaited and celebrated united front of the two Movement for Democratic Change factions that was sealed last Sunday crumbled in the eleventh hour again presenting President Robert Mugabe with chances to win the March 29 election. - Arthur Mutambara leader of one MDC faction told the media contingency that the whole deal had been reversed following an impasse over nomination seats."From haggling over two seats last night, this morning our colleagues came back to us demanding 20 more seats in Matabeleland even where we have sitting MPs," he said."This means from this place we're going out in the country to work out our nominations for the presidency, 210 members of parli…