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Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role
(about 1 hour later)
Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF are expected to meet on Friday to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year.Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF are expected to meet on Friday to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year.
Mr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in office.Mr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in office.
But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.
On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.
In their communique, the leaders expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urged western countries to lift sanctions and called on the UK to pay for land reform.In their communique, the leaders expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urged western countries to lift sanctions and called on the UK to pay for land reform.
Correspondents say this kind of language would have been music to Mr Mugabe's ears.Correspondents say this kind of language would have been music to Mr Mugabe's ears.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is disappointed with the outcome of the meeting - it says the problems are Mr Mugabe's economic mismanagement and human rights abuses. HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with these African leaders is that they fear Mugabe and employ a quiet diplomacy Henry, Harare class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5931&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070327213253">Send us your comments Zimbabwe's leader said it had been an "excellent meeting".
HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with these African leaders is that they fear Mugabe and employ a quiet diplomacy Henry, Harare Send us your comments
The European Union and US sanctions are a travel ban and an assets freeze on the Mr Mugabe and his close allies, yet Mr Mugabe blames them for causing Zimbabwe's economic woes.The European Union and US sanctions are a travel ban and an assets freeze on the Mr Mugabe and his close allies, yet Mr Mugabe blames them for causing Zimbabwe's economic woes.
Decision day The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is disappointed with the outcome of the meeting - it says the problems are Mr Mugabe's economic mismanagement and human rights abuses.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles say that behind the scenes, the issue everyone is talking about is Robert Mugabe's future. The secretary general of one MDC faction, Tendai Biti, said it did not want dialogue with Mr Mugabe but agreed to talk to other Zanu-PF leaders.
The man who has led Zimbabwe for nearly 27 years has never looked as isolated as he is at present, our correspondent says. "We consider Mugabe to be the author of [recent] violence and he can't be part of that dialogue. He is part of the past," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He also pointed out that Mr Mbeki had previously been tasked with ending Zimbabwe's crisis, to little effect.
Poor harvest
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles say Mr Mugabe has never looked as isolated as he is at present.
Friday's meeting of Zanu-PF's Central Committee brings together about 200 of the ruling party's most important decision-makers.Friday's meeting of Zanu-PF's Central Committee brings together about 200 of the ruling party's most important decision-makers.
In the knowledge that presidential elections are due a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF, he says. class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6508971.stm">Summit disappoints critics class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6506549.stm">Profile: Emmerson Mnangagwa class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6507993.stm">Profile: The Mujuru couple In the knowledge that presidential elections are due a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF, our correspondent says.
Summit disappoints critics Profile: Emmerson Mnangagwa Profile: The Mujuru couple
President Mugabe has said he wants to remain in power.President Mugabe has said he wants to remain in power.
But he may only have support from around a third of the membership of his party's Central Committee, says the BBC's Peter Biles.But he may only have support from around a third of the membership of his party's Central Committee, says the BBC's Peter Biles.
There are two opposing factions. One is led by the former armed forces commander, Solomon Mujuru, and his wife Joyce, who is the country's vice-president. Two top Zanu-PF power-brokers are believed to want to contest the elections instead of Mr Mugabe.
The other is headed by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former security minister. They are former armed forces commander Solomon Mujuru - or his wife Joyce, Zimbabwe vice-president - and former Security Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Both sides would like to see Mr Mugabe step aside, not least because under his leadership, Zimbabwe's economy is now out of control. But it is not clear if either will stand up and directly challenge Mr Mugabe at the meeting.
But it is not clear if anyone will stand up and directly challenge Mr Mugabe. Zimbabwe's economy is in meltdown, with inflation of 1,700% and widespread poverty and unemployment.
On Thursday, UN humanitarian director Rashid Khalikov said that 1.4 million Zimbabweans would need food aid this year, as harvests were only due to meet one-third of the country's requirements.