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Mugabe 'to leave within a year' | Mugabe 'to leave within a year' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is unlikely to contest presidential elections due next year, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said. | Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is unlikely to contest presidential elections due next year, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said. |
He told the BBC that people within Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party were "anxious to get another candidate". | He told the BBC that people within Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party were "anxious to get another candidate". |
Mr Mugabe has said he would like to postpone the elections and stay in power until 2010 but Zanu-PF members are resisting this option. | Mr Mugabe has said he would like to postpone the elections and stay in power until 2010 but Zanu-PF members are resisting this option. |
Mr Tsvangirai also hinted that his party was in talks with Zanu-PF. | Mr Tsvangirai also hinted that his party was in talks with Zanu-PF. |
"We have always called on all patriotic Zimbabweans who want to see a solution about Mugabe coming together," he told the BBC's Today programme. | "We have always called on all patriotic Zimbabweans who want to see a solution about Mugabe coming together," he told the BBC's Today programme. |
"I'm sure that there is national convergence on such a roadmap being worked out between some of the ruling party members and the MDC [Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change]." | "I'm sure that there is national convergence on such a roadmap being worked out between some of the ruling party members and the MDC [Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change]." |
However, he denied reports that he had personally held discussion with senior Zanu-PF figures. | |
'People power' | 'People power' |
Western diplomats say that Zanu-PF power-brokers Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru are both keen to replace Mr Mugabe as the party's candidate next year. | Western diplomats say that Zanu-PF power-brokers Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru are both keen to replace Mr Mugabe as the party's candidate next year. |
The party's policy-making central committee is due to rule on Wednesday whether to reject or approve Mr Mugabe's suggestion to change the constitution and postpone the elections. | The party's policy-making central committee is due to rule on Wednesday whether to reject or approve Mr Mugabe's suggestion to change the constitution and postpone the elections. |
Nothing frightens me, not even little fellows like Bush and Blair Robert Mugabe Planning for post-Mugabe era At last December's congress, the party unusually declined to back Mr Mugabe's wishes and the decision was postponed. | Nothing frightens me, not even little fellows like Bush and Blair Robert Mugabe Planning for post-Mugabe era At last December's congress, the party unusually declined to back Mr Mugabe's wishes and the decision was postponed. |
Mr Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. | Mr Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. |
Mr Tsvangirai and other MDC officials say they were severely assaulted by the police after being arrested at a rally earlier this month. | Mr Tsvangirai and other MDC officials say they were severely assaulted by the police after being arrested at a rally earlier this month. |
Pictures of their injuries sparked outrage in the west and some criticism from other African countries. | Pictures of their injuries sparked outrage in the west and some criticism from other African countries. |
On Friday, a Roman Catholic Archbishop repeated his calls for Zimbabwean citizens to take to the streets in protest at conditions in their country. | On Friday, a Roman Catholic Archbishop repeated his calls for Zimbabwean citizens to take to the streets in protest at conditions in their country. |
"This dictator must be brought down right now," said Pius Ncube, Archbishop of Bulawayo. | "This dictator must be brought down right now," said Pius Ncube, Archbishop of Bulawayo. |
"Brought down by people power, not by a violent manner but let people fill the streets and demand that he comes down." | "Brought down by people power, not by a violent manner but let people fill the streets and demand that he comes down." |
But during a rally of Zanu-PF supporters in Harare, the 83-year-old Mr Mugabe remained defiant. | But during a rally of Zanu-PF supporters in Harare, the 83-year-old Mr Mugabe remained defiant. |
"Nothing frightens me, not even little fellows like Bush and Blair. I have seen it all, I don't fear any suffering or a struggle of any kind," Mr Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe for 27 years, told cheering crowds. | "Nothing frightens me, not even little fellows like Bush and Blair. I have seen it all, I don't fear any suffering or a struggle of any kind," Mr Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe for 27 years, told cheering crowds. |
Zimbabweans are grappling with spiralling annual inflation of 1,700% and widespread unemployment and poverty. | Zimbabweans are grappling with spiralling annual inflation of 1,700% and widespread unemployment and poverty. |
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