Zimbabwe close to a new dawn as power-sharing deal looms

A MONTH ago they had never shaken hands. But last night Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai were on the brink of a power-sharing deal that held out hopes of an end to the country's crippling election crisis.

The pair spent much of yesterday in talks at a hotel in central Harare. Bouquets of flowers and chairs were delivered ahead of a signing ceremony.

Thabo Mbeki, South African president, arrived in the country to facilitate the talks, which also included Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a breakaway faction of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Mr Mbeki met each political leader and his negotiating team separately yesterday morning.

As Zimbabwe held its breath, Mr Tsvangirai's deputy, Tendai Biti, told reporters outside the Rainbow Towers hotel that progress had been made, adding: "I think we all need to pray."

State newspapers reported earlier that negotiators meeting in Pretoria over the past two weeks had reached agreement on key issues, including the contentious land question.

Mr Mbeki's meetings were to focus on hammering out details of a new government, newspaper reports claimed.

There's speculation Mr Mugabe will retain the post of president in exchange for amnesty from prosecution. Mr Tsvangirai is likely to be given the specially-created post of prime minister.

Battered by years of inflation (now 2.2 million per cent) and fears of violence, Zimbabweans across the country this weekend dared allow themselves a rare luxury: hope.

"It's going to be OK, don't you think?" said an assistant in a vegetable market in the eastern city of Mutare. "Maybe they will work something out."

At a garage, passers-by clustered round a pile of newspapers with the headline: "Morgan for exec PM."

Outside Africa, there's anxiety a dangerous precedent is being set in a political settlement that could allow an 84-year-old dictator who's effectively beaten and cheated his way back into power, to stay in place. Inside Zimbabwe though, the mood has changed.

Part of the positive vibe is to do with coins. Zimbabweans have been revelling in an unexpected bonanza granted by Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono.

Ten days ago, he announced that Zimbabwe's ancient one, two and five dollar coins would become legal tender. Local papers have been full of rags-to-riches stories: township dwellers who've taken out hidden stashes of coins and have been able to afford beer and cooking oil again.

In Harare, a well-known chicken outlet had to close its doors when it was swamped by customers bearing trunkfuls of coins.

But the feelgood factor is about more than money.

Newspapers and radio stations that were "downright purveyors of appalling hate messages" against the opposition are now more tolerant, the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) said. In one significant change, Mr Tsvangirai is now being referred to as "Mr".

State ZBC television has adverts of a new, integrated Zimbabwe, showing a black policeman helping an elderly white lady across the road.

Contrast that with comments broadcast live just weeks ago from a state-approved analyst: whites were "devils, Satan," he said.

Zimbabweans in exile have been holding their breath.

"We have had a creeping sense of hope recently," e-mailed a family friend who left six years ago. "If it materialises, we would perhaps come back and live nearby."

BACKGROUND

A DEAL with the MDC was unthinkable only weeks ago after Mr Mugabe controversially claimed victory in a one-man poll on 27 June.

His army and youth militias unleashed a reign of terror after Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of presidential elections on 29 March.

The MDC says more than 100 party supporters were killed, and hospitals filled with the injured, leading the opposition leader to withdraw days before the second-round vote.

Mediator Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's president, criticised previously for a lack of action, has always argued that getting tough with Mr Mugabe would only deepen tensions.