Talks underway in Zimbabwe 'for Mugabe to step down'
Tuesday, 01 Apr 2008 17:41
Uncertainty abounds after Zimbabweans cast their votes
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Opposition sources in Zimbabwe have claimed talks are underway with President Robert Mugabe for the 84-year-old leader to stand down.
The United States embassy in Harare has claimed discussions are ongoing between Mr Mugabe and the opposition over a potential deal, reportedly brokered by the neighbouring South African government.
Further reports also suggest Mr Mugabe is preparing an address to the nation at some point this evening.
Three days after millions of Zimbabweans cast their votes in presidential, parliamentary and local elections officials have yet to announce the winners.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the opposition to Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, claims to have won the polls.
In the presidential race the MDC claims its leader Morgan Tsvangirai has more than 60 per cent of the vote, with Mr Mugabe on 30 per cent.
Zanu-PF rebel Simba Makoni, running as an independent candidate, possesses the remaining ten per cent of votes counted so far, the MDC said on Monday.
Other sources suggest the race may be closer, with the opposition polling 48 per cent and Zanu-PF winning close to 43 per cent of the vote.
Although early indications remain unclear, reports suggest opposition leader Mr Tsvangirai has polled higher than the current ruler and is poised to take over.
A declaration of a run-off could be called if the polls show neither candidate has the requisite 50 per cent share of the vote, or Mr Mugabe may claim outright victory.
However, such a course of action could lead to widespread civil unrest given the widespread reports - including from within the opposition party - that the victory is more likely to go to the MDC.
"We have won the election. Mugabe's victory is not possible given the true facts," said MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti in comments reported by the Associated Press news agency yesterday.
However, Mr Tsvangirai told a press conference he is "prepared to wait as long as it takes".
"I hope when the result is announced it is a true reflection of the vote," he added.
"The people of Zimbabwe have waited this long, I think they can wait a little longer [for a fair result]."
In some of the poll results already confirmed, two senior members of Mr Mugabe's cabinet have lost their seats.
Official results give both leading parties 26 parliamentary seats, with justice minister Patrick Chinamasa and public affairs minister Chen Chimutengwende both being unseated.
Riot police in armoured carriers have been deployed in two of Harare's opposition areas, according to Reuters.
A resident of one of the townships told the news agency that a convoy of riot police in about 20 vehicles had travelled through the area.
They added that people had been told to stay off the streets.
UK prime minister Gordon Brown has warned Mr Mugabe that the "eyes of the world" were focused on Zimbabwe.
Following talks with South African president Thabo Mbeki at No 10, Mr Brown said: "Two things are important: First, that the results come forward soon and secondly that the election is fair and representative."
Foreign secretary David Miliband said the next few days would be "critical" for the future of Zimbabwe.
"On Saturday the Zimbabwean people turned out to vote in their millions," he explained.
"Their voice must now be heard without delay."
Mr Mugabe has been in power in Zimbabwe since 1980 and has recently faced the toughest challenge to his rule from Mr Tsvangirai, who was narrowly defeated in the last national election in 2002.
Inflation has skyrocketed and is now above 100,000 per cent and there is intense pressure on the government to ease the economic hardships that have blighted the lives of most of the country's population.