The World

Zimbabwe opposition leader refuses to negotiate

The African Union is urging the two sides to talk but opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he won’t negotiate a government of national unity unless he is recognized as the country’s rightful leader, as The World’s Jeb Sharp has an update.

Global Politics

The African Union had very little to offer Zimbabwe. Mugabe says he’s willing to talk but Tsvangirai said the conditions are not right and the resolution is inadequate because it doesn’t recognize the first round elections in March. The EU made that acknowledgment yesterday, and said it would only recognize a Zimbabwean government with Tsvangirai. But South African President Mbeki says that’s premature. Mbeki is an old friend of Mugabe’s and has been trying to play a central role in mediation. This MDC spokesman says it will take more than Mbeki to solve the crisis now. In view of that, the MDC has asked that a new mediator be appointed.

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