In a bid to end feuding between Zimbabwe's coalition partners, South African President Jacob Zuma met with President Robert Mugabe and other leaders Friday and appeared cautiously optimistic that their differences could be resolved.
Zuma, making his first visit to the neighboring country as South Africa's president, was greeted warmly Thursday by the 85-year-old Mugabe, who looked healthy despite rumors that he's ill.
Some observers are hoping Zuma will push Mugabe for more reforms but others fear Zuma will not publicly reprimand Mugabe.
Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980 and his anti-colonial credentials are seen as one reason fellow African leaders have failed to criticize his autocratic rule.
In February, Mugabe entered into a unity government February with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who became prime minister. However, ongoing differences have hamstrung the new administration and a number of important posts have not been filled.
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party accuses Mugabe's ZANU-PF of stalling on reforms and continuing to attack and harass it activists. ZANU-PF says its coalition partner should be pushing harder to get the international community to lift sanctions against Mugabe and his top aides.
Speaking at the Harare Agricultural Society Show on Friday, Zuma said there were signs Zimbabwe is on the road to recovery. Inflation is under control and there is food back on supermarket shelves, he said.
"We are encouraged by what we have seen during the show, particularly given the importance of agriculture in Zimbabwe and the entire region" he said.
He said the country's leaders had agreed that differences needed to be resolved speedily to "help restore confidence in the country and the economy.
Zuma called on the international community to remove any remaining hindrances to Zimbabwe's recovery. Western donors have been reluctant to hand over cash until they see strong signs of reform.
"The achievement of an effective recovery is also dependent on the removal of sanctions and other measures that hold back economic development," he said.
Zuma also called for better governance and the "promotion of democracy and human rights."
At a dinner for Zuma on Thursday night, Mugabe painted a sunny picture, saying the unity government is "alive and well" and Zimbabwe's leaders are "committed to its success."
Zuma said the unresolved issues facing the unity government are "not insurmountable."
"The most difficult path has already been traveled," he said.
Zuma, who was elected president in May, is a far more popular figure than his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki, who helped broker the unity government deal, was seen as favoring Mugabe. Zuma will report on progress made in Zimbabwe to a regional summit early next month.
Tsvangirai's party applauded Zuma, calling his statements "refreshing."
"President Zuma has made an unequivocal statement that African nations should commit themselves to human rights, good governance and democracy if our continent is to extricate itself from the bad-boy image," the party said in a statement.
The party has disputed Mugabe's unilateral appointment of the Reserve Bank governor as well as the attorney general. It called on regional leaders to ensure its coalition partners do "not renege on agreed positions."
Zuma held talks with Mugabe, Tsvangirai, and Arthur Mutambara, the deputy prime minister on Thursday and again Friday before heading for the agricultural show.
The annual event was once a cause of pride but has become a sad reflection of Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis.
Zimbabwe was the region's breadbasket until Mugabe embarked on a land redistribution campaign in 2000. The often-violent campaign disrupted agriculture and led to widespread hunger.
The weeklong show is used by agricultural equipment companies to showcase their products. Also, Mugabe awards prizes to small farmers.
However, the last few years has seen attendance drop off, with few exhibits. On Friday, turnout was high and more fresh produce and cattle were on display.
