Opposition Zimbabwe rejects Thabo Mbeki as mediator

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Power Sharing Deal Reached in Zimbabwe

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After losing the ANC-presidency to rival Jacob Zuma and being axed as South Africa's head of state, Thabo Mbeki has been again rejected. This time by Zimbabwe's main opposition party Movement For Democratic Change (MDC).

In a letter that was published in The Star, a South African daily newspaper, the MDC 's leader Morgan Tsvangirai stated that he no longer wants to discuss a power sharing deal with president Robert Mugabe unless Mbeki resigns from his function as mediator.

Mbeki was appointed as the mediator by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to find a solution for the political crisis, which has led to a total economic collapse of the country and an exodus of Zimbabweans.

South Africa's former president has often been accused of being to soft on Mugabe. His statements earlier this year, claiming that there 'was no crisis in Zimbabwe' were met with world wide criticism. 

The attack was slammed by Mbeki. He took offense in Tsvangirai's remarks that southern African leaders "did not have the courage" to stand up to Mugabe at a summit in Johannesburg on November 9.

The summit had recommended that the two parties share control of the contested home affairs ministry, but Tsvangirai rejected the proposal.

"Because we do not agree with you on a small matter, you choose to describe us in a manner that is most offensive in terms of African culture, and therefore offend our sense of dignity as Africans," Mbeki said.

"Such manner of proceeding might earn you prominent media headlines. However, I assure you that it will do nothing to solve the problems of Zimbabwe."