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Mugabe faces rival inside party Mugabe faces rival inside party
(11 minutes later)
A leading figure inside the ruling Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe is planning to mount a challenge to the leadership of Robert Mugabe, the BBC can confirm.A leading figure inside the ruling Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe is planning to mount a challenge to the leadership of Robert Mugabe, the BBC can confirm.
Simba Makoni was once briefly finance minister under Mr Mugabe but now looks set to run against him in national elections expected in March.Simba Makoni was once briefly finance minister under Mr Mugabe but now looks set to run against him in national elections expected in March.
The BBC's John Simpson confirmed the news while under cover in Zimbabwe.The BBC's John Simpson confirmed the news while under cover in Zimbabwe.
He reports that there is growing opposition to Mr Mugabe from within the ranks of his own party.He reports that there is growing opposition to Mr Mugabe from within the ranks of his own party.
Although there is serious discontent at Mr Mugabe's dictatorial style of leadership within the general population, our correspondent says, a popular uprising seems unlikely due to the harsh repression of opposition in Zimbabwe.Although there is serious discontent at Mr Mugabe's dictatorial style of leadership within the general population, our correspondent says, a popular uprising seems unlikely due to the harsh repression of opposition in Zimbabwe.
Mr Makoni is seen as a moderate and a reformer inside Zanu-PF.Mr Makoni is seen as a moderate and a reformer inside Zanu-PF.
Waiting gameWaiting game
The BBC is banned in Zimbabwe - though widely watched on satellite TV - so our correspondent spent his week-long visit to the country under cover.The BBC is banned in Zimbabwe - though widely watched on satellite TV - so our correspondent spent his week-long visit to the country under cover.
The BBC's John Simpson defied a ban on the BBC in Zimbabwe Mr Makoni is seen as a reformer and a moderate
He reports that much of life in Zimbabwe now consists of waiting - at the bank for banknotes amid galloping inflation, at the petrol stations for fuel, and in lines for food.He reports that much of life in Zimbabwe now consists of waiting - at the bank for banknotes amid galloping inflation, at the petrol stations for fuel, and in lines for food.
He says people are also waiting to see what happens politically in 2008.He says people are also waiting to see what happens politically in 2008.
The economic crisis has, in some senses, served Mr Mugabe well, our correspondent says - making Zimbabweans ever more dependent on the state and strengthening government control of the populace.The economic crisis has, in some senses, served Mr Mugabe well, our correspondent says - making Zimbabweans ever more dependent on the state and strengthening government control of the populace.
However, time appears to be running out for Mr Mugabe - and inside his party, our correspondent says, the knives are being sharpened.However, time appears to be running out for Mr Mugabe - and inside his party, our correspondent says, the knives are being sharpened.