So much for the optimism of a deal struck between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. I had warned that it was premature and that Mugabe would not willingly give up power.

Western politicians are making furious attempts to keep up the appearance that with declarations and sanctions they are able to exert at least a little influence on Robert Mugabe. But deep in their hearts they all know they're powerless against Zimbabwe's dictator. When the votes have been counted, Mr Mugabe will declare himself president again and the world will look on in impotence.

South African President Thabo Mbeki is meeting in Bulawayo with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe before runoff presidential elections next week. VOA's Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau in Johannesburg, the meeting backdrop is a deepening political, social and economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is ready to contest a second round of the presidential election, a spokesman for his ruling Zanu-PF party says.

Political observers in Zimbabwe are charging new voting districts created by the government violate the country's constitution. Peta Thornycroft reports for VOA that election experts say the government has failed to allow details of the new constituencies to be debated in parliament as required by the constitution.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe announced on Friday that general elections will be held on March 29, when he will seek a sixth term in office. Peta Thornycroft reports that on February 8, candidates will have to register at the nomination court but there are likely to be only two political parties there - the ruling ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed he will not attend next month's European Union-Africa summit if Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is there.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been invited to an upcoming summit between the European Union and Africa, but Portugal does not want him to attend the summit.

Demonstrators in London have held a protest against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and urged other African countries to condemn him. The protest marks the fifth anniversary of the first rally, called the Zimbabwe Vigil. It has been held outside the Zimbabwean embassy in London every Saturday since October 2002.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that he will not attend the European Union-African Union summit slated for December in Lisbon if Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe also attends.

But international observers said that even Zimbabwe had better elections than Nigeria. So, the international community will be on tenterhooks as Nigerian masses march out Tuesday, to protest against the massively rigged elections of last April.

If President Thambo Mbeki could be so irrational in his diplomatic hypocrisy as seen in his rapport with President Robert Mugabe, then it is not surprising that he is supporting the criminal ruling party in Nigeria.