Posted By Matilda Mandimutsira Saturday, 06 March 2010 01:01

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has urged the South African government and the rest of the SADC region to press the parties that are signatories to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) particularly Robert Mugabe to see that the transition is concluded successfully.

This was revealed in a report titled, “Zimbabwe Political and Security Challenges to the Transition” which was released on Wednesday. The Brussels-based ICG said despite reasonable progress in restoring political and social stability and ending widespread repression and stabilising the economy since February 2009 when the coalition government came into power , major threats could still derail the reform process.

The report said major concerns undermining the transition process had come to the fore.

“Hardline generals and other Mugabe loyalists in Zanu PF are refusing to implement the government's decisions, boycotting the new national security organ and showing public disdain for Tsvangirai,” reads part of the report.

The report cited the continued farm seizures and the failure by Zanu PF members to commit to the full implementation of the GPA as stalling the reform process.

The report said key blocked steps include a land audit, the appointments of MDC governors, an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions, the regular functioning of the National Security Council, public consultations on the formation of a new constitution and electoral reforms.

The report added that despite the fact that the primary task lies with Zimbabweans themselves SADC ought to take its GPA guarantor role seriously.
South African president Jacob Zuma's activism as mediator must convey the message that the region will accept no alternative to the GPA.

Zimbabwe's main political parties formed a unity government under the GPA which was promulgated with the assistance of SADC during lengthy negotiations. The GPA clearly spelt out the continuing role for regional mediators in monitoring and supporting implementation.