South African President Thabo Mbeki expressed his belief that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will resign peacefully. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Zimbabwe holds free and fair elections next year. Mbeki, who was appointed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to lead mediation efforts in Zimbabwe, stated in an interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday that he is optimistic Mugabe will eventually step down. In an interview, it was mentioned that President Mugabe and the ZANU-PF leadership believe they are governing a democratic nation, evidenced by the presence of an elected opposition and their ability to run municipal governments in Harare and Bulawayo. The SADC recently appointed Mbeki as a mediator between Mugabe and the opposition MDC after a violent crackdown on political opponents. Despite suggestions that Zimbabwe's neighbors could impose change, the South African leader emphasized the need for a collaborative approach by African leaders to facilitate a resolution. Mbeki stated that his office has been in communication with both factions of the MDC and ZANU-PF to develop a framework for negotiations for the upcoming elections, in which Mugabe has already been chosen as the ZANU-PF candidate. Mbeki mentioned that the discussions will likely involve addressing MDC's requests for legal and electoral reforms, particularly regarding media and security laws that critics believe have been used by Mugabe to strengthen his hold on power in the country. Mbeki emphasized that previous interactions with the MDC have shown that they will raise concerns about issues such as media legislation and regulations on public gatherings. He also indicated that there may be a need for both parties to come together to find ways to create an environment that is conducive to free and fair elections. The main leader of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, stated in Johannesburg that he would agree to participate in any election that was guaranteed to be free and fair. However, he emphasized that quick action from Mbeki was necessary to establish the right conditions. The SADC, criticized in the West for ignoring Mugabe's harsh measures, is hopeful that appointing Mbeki will result in direct negotiations between Mugabe and the MDC, despite previous failed attempts to reach a political agreement. The West accuses Mugabe, who has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980, of ruling with an iron fist and mismanaging the economy. Mugabe argues that he is being punished for redistributing white-owned farms to landless black individuals.