Opposition reject Mugabe's plans

Zimbabwe's two opposition factions say they will not take part in a government formed by Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe arrives for the opening of the county's parliament in Harare on Aug 26 2008.

Zimbabwe's two opposition factions said they will not take part in a government formed by president Robert Mugabe, before power-sharing talks have been concluded. The statements followed Mr Mugabe's remarks in The Herald today, that he would form a new government "soon" even without a resolution to currently stalled power-sharing talks with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The main opposition MDC described Mr Mugabe's intention to form a government regardless of the opposition as "a declaration of war against the people".

"It's very clear that if he announces the new cabinet it's a declaration of war against the people. You can't just have a cabinet without a mandate," MDC spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said. The spokesman for the smaller MDC faction, Edwin Mushoriwa, said: "We are not going to be part of Mugabe's government. We are actually looking forward to the conclusion of the dialogue when Mugabe and (MDC leader Morgan) Tsvangirai form a transitional government."

Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai's MDC have failed to reach agreement in over one month of post-election power-sharing negotiations aimed at ending a political crisis that has worsened Zimbabwe's devastating economic decline. "We shall soon be setting up a government. The MDC does not want to come in apparently," Mr Mugabe said. The leader, who was booed and jeered by opposition members when he opened the assembly, has said he was still hopeful of agreement in post-election power-sharing talks with Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC, aimed at ending a political crisis. * AFP and Reuters