According to a draft settlement released today , President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe would receive a ceremonial title as head of state and “founding president” while opposition leader Mr. Morgan Tsvangarai would take over the running of the country as Prime Minister. The settlement would also guarantee Mr. Mugabe blanket amnesty for the atrocities committed by his Zanu-PF party since he took power over twenty-five years ago.

Although it has yet to be finalized, spokespersons from both parties seem amenable to the draft. The document will serve as the basis for a meeting that is set to take place tomorrow between the two men under mediation by the South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

Should the agreement be enacted as a formal set of guidelines, Zanu-PF and MDC would split duties in an attempt to create a bi-partisan, transitional government. As interim Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvangarai would appoint two deputy prime ministers, one from each party. Zanu-PF would retain control of the Ministry of Defense while MDC would control home affairs, including police and security forces. A National Security Council would also be established to replace the Zanu-PF military control over the country. In order to encourage investment in the country, a number of ministries would remain “independent,” with leaders from outside the two parties.

Considering the violent actions of the Zanu-PF party toward the citizens of Zimbabwe, allowing MDC to take control over police and security is likely to promote peace as the country enters a more formal democratic process. A time-frame for future elections is not included in the draft, but Mr. Tsvangarai is said to be advocating for a two-year interim government to stabilize the country.

Amnesty for all Zimbabweans, including Robert Mugabe, is likely to be the most difficult piece of the negotiations. Not only does it excuse the Zanu-PF violence since the elections in March, it also forgives the massacres carried out by Mugabe in Matabeleland in the 1980’s.

In all, the document is designed to promote equality between the two parties and a chance to pursue a true democracy in Zimbabwe. AFJN applauds the attempt to promote participatory democracy and supports the notion that Mr. Tsvangarai would take over as the country’s leader. Though we are disappointed at the prospect of amnesty for Mr. Mugabe, we recognize that the President is unlikely to commit to a peace deal otherwise. We will continue to follow the negotiations over the coming days, in hopes that the people of Zimbabwe might be given a more just future.