Zuma Appeals To Zimbabwe's Rivals

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has urged Zimbabwe's political rivals to work together if they are to see foreign aid restored.

He said the power-sharing government must fully implement its agreement to 'create confidence'.

He was speaking after holding talks with President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare.

Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has accused Mr Mugabe of acting in bad faith and donors remain dubious.

The former opposition MDC said its activists continue to be harassed even after it joined the government in February.

It also complained that it has not been consulted about key appointments, including the central bank governor and the Attorney-General.

'The inclusive government has the responsibility to fully implement the global political agreement and thus create confidence in the process,' Mr Zuma said at a speech at the Harare Agricultural Show.

'The important factor is that there is commitment amongst all parties which will make movement forward possible.'

Mr Mugabe's long-time rival embarked on a tour of western capitals in June seeking a resumption of aid.

But most donors are reluctant to resume funding to Zimbabwe in case the money helps Mr Mugabe, who they accuse of human rights abuses and destroying the once promising economy.

The MDC wanted Mr Zuma to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to rein in his hardline supporters, especially in the security forces, who it says are trying to derail the unity accord.

Mr Zuma is the current chair of the Southern African Development Community, the body which helped to broker the power-sharing deal.

At a state banquet hosted by President Mugabe last Thursday night, Mr Zuma said the problems were not 'insurmountable'.

Mr Mugabe said 'teething problems' were inevitable but had 'not detracted us from our agreed common vision to establish peace, turn around the economy and work to deliver the services expected of us by the generality of our people'.

—BBC