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ANC 'dismayed' by Zimbabwe crisis ANC 'dismayed' by Zimbabwe crisis
(about 4 hours later)
South Africa's governing ANC party has accused the Zimbabwean government of "riding roughshod" over democracy and said a fair election is not possible.South Africa's governing ANC party has accused the Zimbabwean government of "riding roughshod" over democracy and said a fair election is not possible.
A BBC correspondent says this is the strongest statement so far by the ANC on Zimbabwe and a sign of mounting diplomatic pressure on its government.A BBC correspondent says this is the strongest statement so far by the ANC on Zimbabwe and a sign of mounting diplomatic pressure on its government.
Reports suggest South African President Thabo Mbeki will hold talks in Zimbabwe with government and opposition leaders. The regional bloc Sadc is due to hold an emergency summit on Zimbabwe's political crisis, reports said.
Zimbabwe's opposition MDC has formally withdrawn from Friday's run-off vote. President Robert Mugabe insists the vote will go ahead despite UN concerns.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), announced he was pulling out of the presidential race at the weekend, citing widespread violence as the reason. Speaking at a rally in the town of Banket, he said: "They can shout as loud as they like from Washington or from London or from any other quarter. Our people, our people, only our people will decide and nobody else."
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change said it had confirmed in writing on Tuesday its withdrawal from the presidential race.
The pull-out was announced at the weekend by the party's leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who cited widespread violence as the reason.
'Compelling evidence''Compelling evidence'
On Tuesday the MDC said it had hand-delivered a letter to the country's electoral commission confirming it would not participate in the run-off. Southern African leaders will meet for emergency talks called by the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) in Swaziland's capital, Mbanane, the Tanzanian president's office said in a statement.
Morgan Tsvangirai, has been completely outmanoeuvred... The outside world, which mostly sympathises with him, can do nothing whatever to help him John Simpson, in Harare Mugabe's remarkable comeback Zimbabwe awaits day of reckoning Morgan Tsvangirai, has been completely outmanoeuvred... The outside world, which mostly sympathises with him, can do nothing whatever to help him John Simpson, in Harare Mugabe's remarkable comeback Zimbabwe awaits day of reckoning class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7472129.stm">Full text: MDC withdrawal letter
The ANC said it was "deeply dismayed by the actions of the Zimbabwean government - which is riding roughshod over hard-won democratic rights". The announcement came hours after the ANC said it was "deeply dismayed by the actions of the Zimbabwean government - which is riding roughshod over hard-won democratic rights".
It said it could not remain "indifferent to the flagrant violation of every principle of democratic governance".It said it could not remain "indifferent to the flagrant violation of every principle of democratic governance".
And the party referred to "compelling evidence of violence, intimidation and outright terror". And the party referred to "compelling evidence of violence, intimidation and outright terror". The comments come a day after the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and said a fair election would be "impossible".
The comments come a day after the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and said a fair election would be "impossible". The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that coming from South Africa - the most powerful country in the region - the ANC statement is a further sign of President Mugabe's growing isolation.
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that coming from South Africa - the most powerful country in the region - the statement is a further sign of President Robert Mugabe's growing isolation. Mr Mbeki has been adopting a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe.
Mr Mbeki has been adopting a policy of "soft diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe. There had been reports on Tuesday that Mr Mbeki would return to Zimbabwe to hold talks with government and opposition leaders. However, his office denied that that was the case.
Reports suggest that in discussions with government and opposition leaders expected on Tuesday, he will seek to persuade Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai to hold face-to-face talks on the country's future. class="" href="/sport1/hi/cricket/7471238.stm">Cricket body to mull Zimbabwe ban class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7469700.stm">Bloggers regret Tsvangirai pull-out class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7471262.stm">New media evades censors
Cricket body to mull Zimbabwe banBloggers regret Tsvangirai pull-out
In separate comments, ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who rivals Mr Mbeki as South Africa's most powerful man, said the situation in Zimbabwe was "out of control" and called for urgent intervention by the UN and regional Sadc grouping.In separate comments, ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who rivals Mr Mbeki as South Africa's most powerful man, said the situation in Zimbabwe was "out of control" and called for urgent intervention by the UN and regional Sadc grouping.
Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai said he would leave the Dutch embassy in Harare sometime over the next 48 hours.Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai said he would leave the Dutch embassy in Harare sometime over the next 48 hours.
Mr Tsvangirai, who took refuge there on Sunday night, hours after pulling out of this Friday's vote, said the Dutch ambassador had received assurances from the Zimbabwean authorities about his safety.Mr Tsvangirai, who took refuge there on Sunday night, hours after pulling out of this Friday's vote, said the Dutch ambassador had received assurances from the Zimbabwean authorities about his safety.
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, in a statement about his attempts to mediate in Zimbabwe, said Mr Tsvangirai had been fleeing soldiers when he took refuge.Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, in a statement about his attempts to mediate in Zimbabwe, said Mr Tsvangirai had been fleeing soldiers when he took refuge.
'Cry baby''Cry baby'
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson, who is in Harare, says few people in Zimbabwe know Mr Tsvangirai has pulled out of the race as official media barely ever mention him.BBC world affairs editor John Simpson, who is in Harare, says few people in Zimbabwe know Mr Tsvangirai has pulled out of the race as official media barely ever mention him.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's UN ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku told the BBC Mr Tsvangirai, who was briefly detained five times while campaigning, had never had his movements restricted by the authorities.Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's UN ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku told the BBC Mr Tsvangirai, who was briefly detained five times while campaigning, had never had his movements restricted by the authorities.
"He's a cry baby... He has been free to move wherever he wanted to move," he said."He's a cry baby... He has been free to move wherever he wanted to move," he said.

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".
Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.
Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence.Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions.
BACKNEXT1 of 9BACKNEXT1 of 9
In other developments on Tuesday:In other developments on Tuesday:
  • Robert Mugabe, quoted by the pro-government Herald newspaper, accused Western countries of "telling a lot of lies about Zimbabwe" in order to justify an intervention
  • Former UN High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Paddy Ashdown, a British politician, warned Zimbabwe's violence could descend into genocide like that in Rwanda in 1994
  • An African election observer, who does not want to be named, told the BBC torture was "the order of the day" in Zimbabwe
  • Robert Mugabe, quoted by the pro-government Herald newspaper, accused Western countries of "telling a lot of lies about Zimbabwe" in order to justify an intervention
  • Former UN High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Paddy Ashdown, a British politician, warned Zimbabwe's violence could descend into genocide like that in Rwanda in 1994
  • The International Cricket Council said it would consider whether to ban Zimbabwe from international cricket at a meeting in Dubai next week
  • An African election observer, who does not want to be named, told the BBC torture was "the order of the day" in Zimbabwe
The opposition says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by Zanu-PF militias but the ruling party blames the MDC for the violence.The opposition says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by Zanu-PF militias but the ruling party blames the MDC for the violence.
Meanwhile, the BBC's Themba Nkosi in Bulawayo, south west of Harare, is reporting that youths and villagers from an MDC faction have this week been ambushing and attacking pro-Zanu-PF so-called war veterans in the area.Meanwhile, the BBC's Themba Nkosi in Bulawayo, south west of Harare, is reporting that youths and villagers from an MDC faction have this week been ambushing and attacking pro-Zanu-PF so-called war veterans in the area.
In Mashonaland West, another BBC contributor said Zanu-PF youths abducted MDC councillor-elect Lavender Chiwaya at his house on Tuesday morning, beating him before he was released by another MDC official.
The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright.The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright.
According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.
Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.
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