Posted on 04/27/2003 4:13:37 AM PDT by Clive
President Thabo Mbeki, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Malawi's Bakili Muluzi are to visit their Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe, in the next few weeks to work out an exit plan for the ageing leader.
In an interview with the Zimbabwean state broadcaster this week, Mugabe hinted that he was considering stepping down because the land issue had been dealt with. He said there was nothing wrong with people openly debating succession.
The Sunday Times has learnt that an agreement was reached to reschedule a meeting between Mbeki, Obasanjo, Muluzi and Mugabe to discuss the matter. The new date has not yet been set.
High-ranking South African officials say the three presidents want to "keep the momentum going" following Mugabe's "very positive signals this week". Among other issues, the leaders are to work out a "safe exit plan" and immunity from prosecution for alleged human rights abuses committed during Mugabe's 23-year rule.
Mugabe is said to be particularly worried about the Matabeleland massacres during the 1980s.
The widely broadcast interview was the first direct indication that he wants to retire.
"We are getting to a stage where we shall say fine, we settled this matter [land redistribution] and people can retire," said Mugabe.
Earlier this year, signals of a retirement strategy surfaced following reports that parliamentary speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa had discussed the matter with the MDC.
Zanu-PF sources say Mugabe is anxious about the repercussions of his departure. "He wants to leave but his personal security fears, the fate of his family and property, his party's simmering succession problem . . . are his main obstacles," a senior party source said.
Local human rights groups have also been fuelling his apprehension by calling for his prosecution. And Tsvangirai says Mugabe's personal security, after he relinquishes power, can only be guaranteed in the context of a negotiated settlement of the Zimbabwe crisis.
But in a rare conciliatory move, Mugabe said he was prepared to talk to Tsvangirai if he dropped his court challenge to the election results.
Brian Raftopoulos, a political analyst at the University of Zimbabwe , said this showed Mugabe was willing to go.
"He appears ready to go now. This is because he has no solution to the political and economic crisis the country is facing ," Raftopoulos said.
In response to a question put to Mugabe during the interview as to whether he was concerned about Obasanjo's efforts to get him to step down, and Mbeki's criticism of human rights abuses, he said: "Their stance is consistent, they believe the elections were valid. They believe the government here is legitimate. And they know we are supported by the majority of the people.
"We know the thinking of the ANC, and the thinking of the President [Mbeki] . . . There is interaction at various levels."
Mugabe denounced "clandestine groupings" manoeuvring to take over. He said he was aware that his lieutenants were looking beyond him and plotting for a final assault on power.
Three groups are already scrambling for power in anticipation of Mugabe's exit. Retired army general Solomon Mujuru, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Mnangagwa and Information Minister Jonathan Moyo are seen as the individuals heading the three factions.
WHAT?
Murdered those who needed it now I'll retire?.........Christ if this is allowed its as good as condonning a masacre..whats next castro fest 2003 complete with a mtv band tour!
This man deserves to be treated as the murder he is and now they float a "lets let by gones be by gones" trial ballon.
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