GPA negotiators sign timelines doc

The negotiators to the GPA (Global Political Agreement)  have signed a document on timelines of issues raised in the election roadmap.

The document will be presented to the principals.

The timelines will guide the process to elections as advisedby the SADC Extra-ordinary Summit held in Sandton, South Africa some weeks ago.

The items on the election roadmap include the lifting of sanctions, completion of the constitution making process, media reforms, rule of law and amendments to electoral laws.

Ministers Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche of Zanu PF, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga and Mzila-Ndlovu of the MDC-M as well Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma of the MDC-T met at one of the New Government Complex Offices in Harare this Wednesday evening to append their signatures.

The timeline for the implementation of the various processes was agreed at a meeting held by the negotiators in the capital on Monday.

The constitution making process entails the drafting of the constitution, the holding of a referendum and its ratification by parliament.

The slow movement towards the completion of the constitution making process has bee blamed for the delays in the holding of elections in the country, with fingers pointing at the MDC-T which has been dilly in some of the procedures.

In the timeline document, the negotiators have also concurred that contentious issues such as security sector reforms, the staffing of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the monitoring and observing of elections be referred to the principals for finalisation.