Zimbabwe's two opposition MDC parties have said they were ready to engage the Zanu-PF in dialogues as that was the only way the country could overcome its current challenges, local media reported on Wednesday.
The two formations said in separate interviews with The Herald that there was urgent need to engage all political stakeholders in the discussions that should bring a lasting political settlement to the country.
This follows President Robert Mugabe's call for dialogues among all political players in the country.
Secretary-general for the Arthur Mutambara-led MDC faction, Welshman Ncube, said there was need for an urgent meeting between political parties in the country.
"Obviously, the next step is to convene an urgent meeting among political players. It has to be as inclusive as possible. We have always been ready for dialogues. We have been calling for dialogues, for a political settlement," he said.
Ncube said dialogue should not be done through the media to avoid distortions unless the contents for publication are agreed on.
"There is need for parties to stop talking through the media and maybe start by agreeing on what needs to be talked about, to draw out an agenda," he said.
Ncube also said apart from political parties, all other stakeholders with a role to play should be included in the dialogue.
Nelson Chamisa, spokesperson for MDC-T, concurred with Ncube on the need for an urgent negotiated settlement. "Our hope is to pursue dialogue to ensure that we have a negotiated settlement and understanding," he said.
Chamisa said the MDC-T was in favor of dialogues for national healing, and all peace-loving Zimbabweans wanted dialogues aimed at ending the current economic, political and social challenges besetting the country.
He said the talks should be open and genuine. "We are warm to a negotiated settlement and we believe that talking should be about genuine dialogue, not swallowing of one another," Chamisa said.
On Monday, traditional leaders welcomed dialogues between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations, saying this was the only way the current problems could be resolved.
Source:Xinhua
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