"Unity is the world's key, and racial harmony. Until the white man stops calling himself white and the black man stops calling himself black, we will not see it. All the people on earth are just one family." - Bob Marley

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

What a bunch of weird views.

Yes it's terrible.
Yes, Britain is partly responsible for this situation but that was 30 years ago and a lot has happened since.
Yes, Mugabe has blood on his hands and may face the ICC. But he is the elected leader of a sovereign state.
No, it is not the job of the UK or US to invade just like it wasn't in Iraq.
Yes, the SADC, AU, and UN have a responsibility to act and we must all support them.
Yes, Mbeki has blood on his hands and more to come but he is a democratically elected leader of a sovereign state too.
No, it doesn't help to compare to the "good old days of Ian Smith" especially if you weren't white.

Zimbabwe is what it is. A young democracy trying to find its way led by a despot who has lost contact with reality and has surrounded himself with dangerous men who cannot afford to see him leave.

If the world couldn't fix Darfur in years what on earth makes anyone think we won't just sit in horror and watch a tragedy unfold in front of our eyes.

Martin, Houston, tx

Where are the people who objected to Ian Smith's Declaration of UDI?

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

a great pity we cannot get Lord Carrington to help this time.....this democracy thing sures works well in Africa. Another basket case for the rest of the world to support. Well ,seems to me the rest of the world is getting slightly tired of people who mess up and then plead for help. You guys fix this one yourselves.

GK, Calgar, Canada

Very confusing.
The USA and UK invade Iraq, the net result being the removal of a tyrant far worse than most. The country is slowly recovering.
Yet people still say we were wrong for invading and we should leave.

But now we're hearing demands for the USA and UK to invade Zimbabwe to remove Mugabe by force.

Ugh!
It seems to me (and this sounds odd) that people are and were opposed to our invasion of Iraq because of the Oil we could benefit from (but didn't - oil prices anyone?) so we were naughty for such a selfish act.

But people are OK with us invading Zimbabwe because there is no oil there or any other apparent benefit to us and therefore it would be a selfless act on our part.

Well if that is the thought process then you forget it. My son is in the army and I don’t want to see him invade a country so that the chattering classes can feel good about themselves while helping a people who haven’t yet shown any signs of trying to help themselves.
At least the Iraqi’s had a go against Saddam. That’s a damn sight more than I’ve seen coming from Zimbabwe in the last decade or so.

Phill , Heswall, England

I hope the guy below who says Zimbabwe could become another Liberia or Sierra Leone [before Britain went in] is wrong. But you know, he could be right. I have received reliable information that last week Mugabe did offer to step down, but was told by the army chiefs there is no way they would accept anyone as president who would not safeguard their properties. They said if he stepped down, they would have to take over themselves. Is that beginning to sound like the West Side Boys of Sierra Leone?

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Let's have some incisive reporting from The Times.

Where is George Chiweshe, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, who by all accounts, refused to change the results?

Exactly where has violence since the election taken place and under the command of which army officers - the list of commands are doing the rounds.

The High Court meets today. How safe are the judges?

Which countries have accepted calls from Morgan Tsvangirai or had meetings with him? Or more importantly, refused the same?

What provisions have the UN made other than a comment from the Secretary General? Is there any comment from Kofi Anaan over parallels with Rwanda when he did not deploy peace keepers in time?

Jo, Olney, UK

Thabo Mbeki may be playing a planned game where Zimbabwe destroyed economically by this madman (and South African complicity) will become a part of South Africa. Many Africans regard Mugabe as some sort of hero. When I lived there it was wisdom that we had to maintain our local trading partners and Zimbabwe was an important part of that system. I think people in South Africa including Namibia should start making plans otherwise they will be economically destroyed and worse. As a result of British and American week policies towards Mugabe have ensured a far greater catastrophe in South Africa itself in the very near future. Those who know will tell you up to 10,000 farmers have been murdered in South Africa. This started many years ago and one UN report said to be a “white South Africa Farmer was now one of the most dangerous occupations in the world” Family members have taken over the farms so the takeovers have not gone as hoped so more direct action may be necessary at Govt level.

Jas, Alders, UK

Aubrey Sonnenberg, Sydney, Australia
"you created the Mugabe monster, now it's time to clean up the mess."

I'm quite sure Mugabe and his thugs were trained by the North Koreans, funded by the USSR.
The only way we created him was by the embargo against Rhodesia and Apartheid South Africa.

The problems in Zimbabwe, horrible as they are, are nothing to do with us.
Send in the Para's you say? Will you be signing up?
Or, like the cowards Bush and Brown you claim to be so much better than, do you only demand others die for your beliefs?

People are going to die.
But people are dieing all over the world.
With luck, people in nations following the same policies, Venezuala for instance, will see where it leads and draw back from the edge.
Unlikely, but unless you can think of a way to deploy more Soldiers then their are NATO citizens, its the best we can hope for

Dominic, Manchester, UK

These war veterans are real cowards, and would be funny, Dad's Army like, were it not for the fact that they intimidate defenceless people.

It would take a mere 500 soldiers from a well-organised English-speaking army like the US, British, Australian or Canadian armies to tell them to go home. No shots need be fired.

A few years ago I met a relative who was one of these self-styled "war veterans". He had recently been awarded part of a farm. He didn't have the money to buy seed and so didn't do anything with the farm. A few months later, he died from a simple stomach complaint. He could not afford the bus fares to go to hospital. These are the kinds of people who are "war veterans".

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Southern African leaders, and Mbeki in particular, have alot to answer for. Not so long ago they were trumpeting "African solutions for African problems". And the result is Zimbabawe today. A perfect and tragic example of an African solution to an African problem.

Philip, Bath, UK

It is a great pity that the UK, US and Australia etc did not mind their own business in the 1970's when they all condemned Ian Smith. Yes his government was not elected by universal vote but were people suffering as they are today?

An orderly handover of power ofver a period of 10 years was rejected in the late 70's- 'we want power now' was the war cry from the radicals.

The UK, US etc supported them. The UK and US created this mess in Zimbabwe and they must sort it out.

Australia has now said 'we are sorry' for removing abo kids from their families - in my book that is child abuse and I'm pretty disgusted. Yet Australians felt it their right to point a finger at Ian Smith's government - what bigots!

Norman Webster, East Grinstead, UK

Very confusing.
The USA and UK invade Iraq, the net result being the removal of a tyrant far worse than most. The country is slowly recovering.
Yet people still say we were wrong for invading and we should leave.

Now we're hearing demands for the USA and UK to invade Zimbabwe to remove Mugabe by force.

It seems to me (and this sounds odd) that people are and were opposed to our invasion of Iraq because of the Oil we could benefit from (but didn't - oil prices anyone?) so we were naughty for such a selfish act

But people are OK with invading Zimbabwe because there is no oil there or any other apparent benefit to and therefore it would be a selfless act on our part.

Well if that is the thought process then you forget it. My son is in the army and I don’t want to see him invade a country so that the chattering classes can feel good about themselves while helping a people who haven’t yet shown any signs of trying to help themselves.
At least the Iraqi’s had a go at Saddam

Phill , Heswall, England

Cut all aid to Southern Africa. Stop feeding the remaining Zimbabweans. They will all flood across to South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia. All of a sudden Gebuza, Mbeki and the rest will stop support for Mugabe. Better the people of Zimbabwe suffer for a short time and recover, rather than a long protracted disease called Mugabe.
The rest of Sub Saharan Africa needs a wake up call as all is not great in the surrounding countries. Mozambique's civil service is paid for by the rest od the world and there is no promotion if you are not a card holding party member. Soth Africa is going the same way!

Jeremy, London, UK

Get real guys,
why would the UK & USA governments care about dying zimbabweans? what is in there for them?
its not like IRAQ which we all know the reason behind the invasion.......sadam neither lost elections nor did he kick races out (apart frm during the Iranian war)......but he had something worth to die for----oil......!!!

If there was anything of an interest for the west in Zimbabwe....they would have intervened long time ago!! sadly there is none,,,,,,,,,so hell with zimbabwe..........
believe it or not, that is the fact!!!

Mash, Wellington, New Zealand

TIA. 'This is africa'.

hh, London,

Well, Mr Mbeki, is this what you counselled us all to stand back and wait for? This is the "manageable" situation, is it? I think I understand you and the ANC better now...

Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts

Paul Francis is absolutely right when he writes: "By not criticising the situation in Zimbabwe, Thabo Mbeki is implying that he would find a similar situation acceptable in South Africa."

Mbeki cares nothing for human life, as is evidenced by his similar inaction on AIDS that has resulted in the death of millions of South Africans. He will neither help nor allow others to help.

There is a faint glimmer of hope in Jacob Zuma's meeting with Tsvangirai. But he is not yet president and so has no direct power to do anything.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu foresaw this situation last week when he called for peace-keeping troops in Zimbabwe. This is a humanitarian disaster of the first order, and it is clear now that Mugabe will use his thugs to murder every last remaining man, woman and child in Zimbabwe, and then he will leave any who remain to die of starvation.

So this then is the new order promised by the African Union? Killing their own helpless and starving citizens?

David, London,

Let Zimbabweans solve their own problems without outside interference. Food prices are going up everywhere- just look at HAITI and Egypt. Why is Zimbabwe any different? The people shouting loudest about change are the very people who do not give a toss about the welfare of the Africans. Why ain't they helping the displaced people in Kenya for a start?

chenzira, London,

Jan. On what facts do you liken Zimbabwe to Nigeria? Pls explain.

Philip Hilton, London, United Kingdom

Mugabe is mad, his Communist style rule and his 'Give The White Farms Back ToThe Black People' hasn't worked. His people are starving and still he is destroying the very farms that are feeding his people. Zimbabwe can't aford to import. South Africa wasn't perfect under 'white' rule but it was a great deal better than it is now under this despot. He should stand down and let Mr Tsvangirai who has won the democratic elactions fair and square take over what he has ruined. It is disgraceful that the United Nations are just standing by and lallowing this to happen to what was once a great country.

Stone, Enger, Germany

Mugabe promised war without end in 1980 should the Shona vote against him, well they got it anyway.
Come on people wake up did anyone ever think that a bunch of thugs, murders and psychotics.
Could come out of the bush and run a country, it didn't work in any other African state, by the way It is starting in RSA as well.
cheers peter

peter faux, burrum heads , australia , queensland

Africa throw out europeans - let Africa sort out it own problem

Mike, Gravesend, England

Whilst Mugabe might think that his criminal behaviour can go unchallenged by the rest of Africa, does he believe that the rest of the world will simply stand by and do nothing. Yes, he must do, because that's just what the rest of the world is doing - nothing! Where is the United Nations and what is it there for?
There's no oil in Zim but there are good people there who are desperately looking to us for help. Weak politicians such as Brown must start earning their corn and send a message to the likes of Mbeke that Mugabe's behaviour must stop immediately or he (Mbeke) will also face serious consequences. The west might have huge business interests in SA which might be put in jeopardy throught such action , but so what! For us to stand by and do nothing makes us accessories to the criminal Mugabe. Wake up Brown and do something instead of sitting on the fence with the likes of Mbeke.

Paul Savage, Lambourn, UK

This is not our business. The west (well UK and US) are already overextended in other places.

Africa must be allowed to drag itself into the 19th century first and then onwards.

Mat, Muscat, Oman

It's time the African nations stopped blaming colonialism. They've had independence for long enough to take responsibility for their varied forms of corruptioin and criminality.

leila , manchester, uk

Send Commonwealth troops in NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

Sounds like Uncle Bob has ordered his Cronies to bring down whats left of Zimbawe in the same way as Adolf Hitler brought down the destruction of Germany at the end of WW2. It sounds very much like a 'Dog in the Manager' attitude of..."If I cannot have it, then the MDC ain't goin to get it!"

The final struggles of a tyrant on his way down and out. Just hope he doesnt demand Political Asylum here in the UK, because sure as little apples, our bunch of Labour Toss-pots would probably allow him in under the 'Yuming Rights Act' or something similar.

B Clarke, Chelmsford, England UK

Hell is a place called Zimbabwe

robert peterson, melbourne, australia

By not criticising the situation in Zimbabwe, Thabo Mbeki is implying that he would find a similar situation acceptable in South Africa.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

It is unfortunate that the International community cannot act before they see a river of blood. Anyway knowing Robert Mugabe the way I do, that blood will soon be flowing and the world will wake up to find that they are too late.

For the God's sake, please someone do something out there and save lives. We all know that Morgan Tsvangirai won the Presidential elections and has the majority of MPs in parliament and should have been sworn in, but unfortunately he has no army or militia to remove Mugabe. He is a man of Peace. God bless him.

Jaison Matewu, Portsmouth, UK

Send in the paras? What for? To occupy the whole country? To protect the white farms? That would confirm everything that Mugabe has been telling his supporters. Africa needs to police its own problems. South Africa needs to stand up for the rights of Zimbabweans, and the SADC and the AU should act too. Mugabe has become a monster, and his thugs have become the Tontons Macoutes of Africa, maintaining a criminal and dysfunctional state with violence and theft.. Mbeki holds the keys to this situation. The AU could authorise Kofi Annan or another elder statesman from outside the sub-region to mediate, as Zimbabwe faces mass murder and starvation with no end in sight.

Chris, La Chapelle, France

You Go, Europe! Get Tough. Give Mugabe a really, really strongly-worded piece of paper! An ultimatum! That should do it! Tell him -
"Move over now or face a full International court in the Hague for crimes against Humanity." Mugabe will be terrified when he remembers what happened to Slobodan Milosivek. . .

Russ Armstrong, Becker, Minnesota, USA

When will it end?

Alas, the most likely outcome at present seems to be that it will end only when the streets of Harare and other towns are piled high with the bodies of Mugabe's opponents. If that does happen, then the very least that the world has a right to expect is that all offers ot asylum and guarantees of immunity for Mugabe should be withdrawn, and he should be left in no doubt whatever that he will face trial in the International Criminal Court, as Colin from Australia has suggested. Mbeki and otyher African leaders should come down from the fence and lend their support.

At the same time, without destroying their own countries, Zimbabwe's neighobours should do all in their power to offer shelter and support to fleeing Zimbabweans. Stop all imports to Zimbabwe, because the likelihood is that food supplies will be distributed only to Mugabe's supporters, cut all external links to Zimbabwe's currency, and isolate Mugabe and his supporters from the outside world.

akai ringo, Tokyo, Japan

Mugabe is the perfect opposite example of how well Colonialism worked.

If you think for a second the bloke behind him will be any better, you are delusional.

Because there are 5 guys behind that sap with guns ready to take him out.

Zimbabwe is well on its way to becoming another Liberia at worst, or Nigeria at best (minus the offshore oil deposits).

Jan, Dallas, TX

Send troops to Zimbabwe instead of Iraq to stop Robert Mugabe’s terror on his own people that may end in loss of millions of people.

Tuladhar, Versoix, Switzerland

I think its now the time for stronger measures... this farce has to end.

If South Africa can't be persuaded to put troops on Zimbabwe's borders then we should. Mugabe needs to be sent the clearest possible signal that his time is up.

Sadly, like Sadam before him, he can calculate that a divided Africa will do nothing, nor will a sitting duck US President nor will Britain's unelected Prime Minister risk their own necks. Instead they'll wait for the coming genocide and then let their replacements sort out the mess. Same old, same old.

John Pickworth, Blackpool, UK

Come on UK, drop the Paras in there and kick some behinds, that's all it needs. No oil or drugs there, but you will save lots of lives. Don't say it's not your problem, you created the Mugabe monster, now it's time to clean up the mess.

Aubrey Sonnenberg, Sydney, Australia

Robert Mugabe and his Henchmen should be given the ultimatum ...Move over now or face a full International court in the Hague for crimes against Humanity.

Colin, Melbourne, Australia

When will it end?

When African leaders take responsibility for the consequences of their actions or inactions.

Nik, London, UK