Mugabe's own party seeks deal to force him out

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President, would resign and make way for a power-sharing government in exchange for immunity from prosecution under a deal being discussed between the country's opposition and members of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

The senior power-brokers Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Speaker of parliament, and General Vitalis Zvinavashe, the armed forces chief of staff, are reported to have offered the deal in an effort to end the country's international isolation. Zimbabwe's agricultural economy has collapsed under a campaign of land seizures, millions of people are facing famine and international investment has dried up after elections last year that Mr Mugabe is accused of rigging.

Unnamed mediators, quoted by the Associated Press in Harare last night, said the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was given assurances that Mr Mugabe would step down if the deal was agreed. The President has ruled for 23 years but is accused of bringing the country to its knees in a reign of terror over his own people.

Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, told The Independent last night that he had been approached by Colonel Lionel Dyke, a retired army general, with a proposal to "facilitate Mr Mugabe's retirement" and set up a transitional government until a fresh election was held. The MDC would accept guarantees of immunity from prosecution for human rights violations if Mr Mugabe, 78, surrendered his grip on power, he said. Previously, the MDC has called for him to be put on trial.

"The country is on its knees," Mr Tsvangirai said. "If people are asked to make that sacrifice of giving him immunity and to say 'Let's forget the past and move forward', let it be. We have more to lose by getting bogged down until the country collapses and more to gain by saying 'This is a hurdle we have overcome.' "