Mugabe advisers said to be negotiating resignation deal with Tsvangirai

Please let it be true. I'll update this post with news as it comes...

3pm: The New York Times has just posted this article...

"Advisers to President Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe are in talks with the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, amid signs that Mr. Mugabe may be preparing to resign, a Western diplomatic source and a prominent Zimbabwe political analyst said Tuesday. The negotiations about a possible transfer of power away from Mr. Mugabe come after he apparently concluded that a runoff election would be demeaning, a diplomat said."

10.30pm: BBC reporting denials of the story...

"Zimbabwe's opposition leader and a government minister have denied reports that a deal has been reached for President Robert Mugabe to step down."

Comments

[Patsy Sergeant]

I would imagine that IF this news is true and God willing it is, it will cost MR. Mugabe a great deal of the money that he has salted away somewhere like Switzerland, but whether they will succeed in really getting any of it out of his clutches, is another matter!

[Matthew]

Whilst part of me thinks the people of Zimbabwe would pay any price to get rid of this evil man, I don't want to see the new leadership tainted by the possibility of any 'golden goodbye' or suchlike. Also, it will be a farce if he is allowed to keep any ceremonial position or state benefits. But I suppose first things first...

[Craig Barrett]

I pray that for the people of Zimbabwe this isn't an April Fool and that the Fool of a President realises that his time is up.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

Yippee!

[Dave J]

Good riddance, and the sooner, the better.