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Zuma bid to ease Zimbabwe tension Zuma bid to ease Zimbabwe tension
(about 9 hours later)
South African President Jacob Zuma is due to land in Zimbabwe for a three-day trip, aiming to ease tensions within the fragile power-sharing government.South African President Jacob Zuma is due to land in Zimbabwe for a three-day trip, aiming to ease tensions within the fragile power-sharing government.
It is thought Mr Zuma will assess the country's readiness for an election, which could take place next year.It is thought Mr Zuma will assess the country's readiness for an election, which could take place next year.
President Robert Mugabe and old rival Morgan Tsvangirai, now Prime Minister, united in government a year ago.President Robert Mugabe and old rival Morgan Tsvangirai, now Prime Minister, united in government a year ago.
But they remain at odds over several key issues and have struggled to turn around Zimbabwe's battered economy.But they remain at odds over several key issues and have struggled to turn around Zimbabwe's battered economy.
The crisis in their country has forced some three million Zimbabweans to flee across the border to South Africa, where they live as refugees.The crisis in their country has forced some three million Zimbabweans to flee across the border to South Africa, where they live as refugees.
According to South African officials, Mr Zuma is in Harare to "facilitate the removal of obstacles which hinder the full implementation of a power-sharing deal".According to South African officials, Mr Zuma is in Harare to "facilitate the removal of obstacles which hinder the full implementation of a power-sharing deal".
The BBC's Karen Allen, in Johannesburg, says it seems increasingly likely that his focus will be ensuring that new electoral laws are in place in time for a possible vote next year. Ready for elections?
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) wants an election as soon as possible to resolve political disputes with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF. When Mr Zuma was appointed the chief mediator on Zimbabwe in 2009, Mr Mugabe's critics hoped he would take a tougher line on Zimbabwe's president than his predecessor.
But there has been little public evidence of a different approach to Thabo Mbeki's policy of "quiet diplomacy".
The BBC's Karen Allen, in Johannesburg, says it seems increasingly likely that Mr Zuma's focus will be ensuring that new electoral laws are in place in time for a possible vote next year.
Mr Mugabe recently said he would stand in those elections, if asked to by his Zanu-PF party.
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) wants an election as soon as possible to resolve political disputes with Zanu-PF.
But some fear that would only unleash a new round of violence.
The MDC has accused Mr Mugabe of breaking the power-sharing deal by unilaterally appointing a central bank governor and attorney general.The MDC has accused Mr Mugabe of breaking the power-sharing deal by unilaterally appointing a central bank governor and attorney general.
And the trial of senior MDC politician Roy Bennett on terrorism charges has further divided the two parties. It also says its activists are still being harassed and beaten by Zanu-PF militants and members of the security forces.
For his part, Mr Mugabe has angrily criticised Mr Tsvangirai for not doing enough to have Western sanctions lifted. The trial of senior MDC politician Roy Bennett on terrorism charges has further divided the two parties.
For his part, Mr Mugabe has angrily accused Mr Tsvangirai of not doing enough to have Western sanctions lifted.
On a recent visit to the UK, Mr Zuma also tried unsuccessfully to have those sanctions eased.On a recent visit to the UK, Mr Zuma also tried unsuccessfully to have those sanctions eased.