The Zimbabwean clock is ticking

The whole world is watching and expressing great concerns over the latest developments in Zimbabwe. The big question is: Is Mugabe’s days counted? He wants to run for another period as president, but there are signs that his time is finally running out.

"If a dog were to stand against him, the dog would win," one insider observed last week.

Nor, because of the rapidly collapsing economy, are they prepared to allow him to hang on until 2010. One Zanu-PF insider said: "We're all against him now. He will struggle to get our support for him to be the candidate in any election."

The central committee meeting is crucial because, in December, Mr Mugabe failed to gain the unanimous endorsement of the party's annual conference to extend his presidency for two years. Instead, it delegated the decision to the central committee. After being written off more times than he has had opposition rallies broken up, Mr Mugabe's time may finally be running out.

Also the African Union, which has been pretty supine earlier, and The Southern African Development Community, a group of neighbouring countries, is applying pressure and saying that the human rights have to be respected. But as usual the dictator hits back by proclaiming that protests aren’t allowed.

Mr Mugabe warned the opposition they would face more beatings if they staged protests. "We are the government. We will not be deterred by any criticisms, which are completely unfounded, from carrying out our duties," he said.

That’s quite a man… A cowardly dictating man one should add. Believing he’s the closest there is to a god and he has the solemnly right to decide over country and people.