If the world body is going to help Zimbabwe in any way first and foremost do it through those people who owned farms and businesses and let them return to their assets and rebuild
them with certain guarantees for all govt people and the minority
businesses . A formula that will help to stabilize the economy for years to come. If left solely in the govt it will be a matter of time
for the same decease to surface again . Its Africa.

Doolat , Oklahoma City, OKlahoma

I agree with Anoenda chete. The west will only help in making Bob want to stay on. Why are they so interested in Bob so much. makes us wonder at times.

Bambo Zvimbaz, Johannesburg, SA

The opposition today might be the legitimatae government tomorrow. How are we sure Tsvangirai's performance in power will erasethe memory of Mugabe's disastrous records ?

Africa is definitely in trouble with the present crop of sit-tight, self -serving and bloodthirsty leaders.

ADEREMI BAMIDELE
Ibadan, Nigeria

Aderemi Bamidele, IBADAN - OYO STATE, Nigeria

forget about Mugabe a moment. Why is most of the most fertile land still in the hands of whites? This is the same issue complained about by Doris Lessing since pre-Mugabe days. We might all agree that this is not the best way to fix the problem, but neither is letting whites continue to control the resources of this country.

Jeffrey McCrary, anytown, anywhere

The British are responsible for the rise and reign of Mugabe!
Let THEM sort it out and pay for it!

Blair L Fileger, The Villages, Florida, USA

All of the commentaries are valid, but a central point to the problems in Africa, as in much of the developing world, is the pervasive corruption and use of power for personal gain. Ironic how in countries blessed with abundant natural resources, the politicians' control of the same for personal gain produces such misery and lack of social development. I live in Brasil, and even in the relatively modern developing country, this is very evident.
We cannot keep simply pointing to the ills caused by colonialism, and need to place the blame squarely where it lies, in the political classes of these countries. Moreover, oppositions have not always been any better at addressing corruption.

Joaquin Casamayor, São Paulo, Brasil

the man has murdered many and lord knows the countless crimes him and his henchmen have committed on the same people they claim to represent. if britain and america could invade iraq for oil why can't they send a stray missile to wipe out that devil and his followers, no one would hold it against them. rest assured outside intervention is needed because tsangirai has no army and those bone headed starving soldiers will be deployed against the people.he is literally going to kill thousands if that run off is done. i'm sure if we had oil all this would be a thing of the past

simba, dublin, ireland

What about the mass expropriation of white-owned farmlands ? If the white farmers don't get their land back, or at least adequate compensation, I wouldn't give Zimbabwe one red cent!

Bill, Jacksonville, FL

Indeed Zimbabwe now seem to be heading for a change as pointed out by several people. However my opinion is that it is only the Zimbabweans themselves who can finish what they started. No External force will help, it will just make them suffer more. We need just to encourage them to fight on, but no external force or demands on Zimbabwe, it just wont work!!

Dickens Zulu, Malawi

Dickens Zulu, Blantyre, Malawi

Very interesting opinions. In most cases we forget the root causes of the problems of Zimbabwe which are structural. A country emerging from coloniallism, its social and economic fabric set for a particular exclusionary legal practices. At independence it became a darling but all IMF, WB and Zimcord remedies to past injustices failed to give sustainable development and still the government of the day followed the series of structural adjusment programs which in fact social experiments.
Then the social or psyche of the people, i.e. there thinking processes. Little was done to prepare them for post colonial social administration challenges. Ten to 15 years in prison or the bush, no contact with real social structures. Its hard to administer a socio-economic structure as one that existed pre-1980 Zimbabwe.
The leaders failed as social planners as they believed to be the chosen few and saw no relevance in advancing social and political maturity through political opposition.

louis tadeus, Nelspruit,

My personal opinion is change should come from within. Whist Mr Dave H makes a valid point that the western world should not wash its hands of its responsibilities, the Zimbabean people need to capitalise on the situation without observed outside influence. My knownledge of Zimbabwae is ashamedly poor but my guess is that having had the educated classes purged from the country, I encourage (and take my hat off to) the remaining brave souls who are willing to invigorate change in the political and social structures that are endemic in the country. My very best of luck to you.

Skeaping, London, UK

The People of Zimbabwe have clearly been through hell, and now is the time for decent Governments to help, they have no oil, which is probably a blessing, nevertheless these people need help right now,if only to ensure that the ballots are counted honestly and reported accurately thus enabling them to organise themselves a Government free of corruption.

Clive Burghard, LANCING, ENGLAND

This is a foolish commentary. Famine and societal disruption on a massive scale are always caused by political corruption in Africa. Zimbabwe was and should again be the bread-basket of Africa for It has all of the natural assets needed to be a tremendous success, but it will be a grand tragedy again if the West "helps" without insisting that structural changes be constitutionally embedded. What will prevent the looting of Zimbabwe's rebuilt society by a Mugabe II,or III? You know there will be another tribally based looting of the public treasury in a reconstituted Zimbabwe, for this is Africa we're talking about. Before help is given, first, demand the changes that are necessary before the population is assisted from Mugabe's carnage. Now is the time when the helping powers have the leverage to insist that fundamental changes take place. Do not let the bigotry of low expectations, once again free African leaders from basic responsibility of providing honest government..

Dave H, Alexandria, USA/Virginia

The Zimbabwean problem is a very delicate matter that can only be solved by Zimbabweans and their neighbors. Bush and other western powers have no political leverage over Mugabe whatsoever - their interference will only augment Mugabe's resolve to cling on to power.

So please be patient and let us Zimbabweans deal with our own mess!

Anoenda Chete, Harare, Zimbabwe,