ZIMBABWE’s negotiators have left the table to consult with their principals (corrected from principles), apparently deadlocked over whether or not Robert Mugabe should continue as president.
Those close to the talks are saying that the MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai has been offered the position of third deputy president, the equivalent of offering Barry Ronge a restaurant table next to the kitchen door.
For now, there seems nowhere to go.
Zanu-PF’s negotiators have returned to Harare to brief Mugabe on the impasse.
And Tsvangirai is somewhere in Gauteng getting the low down from his negotiators.
But all is not lost. In talks attempting to reshape a country after a long conflict, it is to be expected that the parties will hit a brick wall from time to time.
South Africa’s experience at the negotiations over a new constitution were frequently bedevilled by walk-outs, threats, the withdrawal of delegations and the like.
But, having started with talks, there was no turning back for either party and so it will be for the Zimbabweans.
Should Mugabe withdraw from the negotiations, he will lose the final fragile straw of credibility that remains for him and the world will turn to much harsher action against his regime.
This is why it is a good thing that the world pushes ahead with efforts to isolate Mugabe politically and economically.
He must know that there is metal behind the criticism of his destruction of the democratic process in his country.
South Africa has years of painful experience with talks and the Zimbabweans will no doubt be persuaded to return to the table.
When they do they must be made to craft a government that properly reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people, who gave more votes to Tsvangirai than Mugabe.
Anything else will be a sham.

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