If Africa doesn't care about Africa, how can anyone else?

David Masu, Zürich,

Perhaps the leaders should have just played a round of 18 whilst discussing the pros/cons of state sanctioned starvation. What to do with a problem like Africa?

Steve, London,

Why does Robert Mugabe look twenty years younger than his actual age? Has he a picture in the attic?

Lynn, Ellesmere, England

I think it is time for the British Government to but out of Zimbabwe, it has no voice, Most of the Black world is called the Common Wealth, what does it mean exactly, a place to exploit, what had the British Government done for Africa, they and the big co-operation has raped the country and now we hear the word Fair Trade, The people all across Africa have suffered for 400 years not allowed to sell or trade for fair price for their goods which has resulted in massive amounts of poverty all across Africa, now and again they throw a dog a bone, and they think they have a right of a say so on a Continent that had been abandoned raped by the IMF, exploited, they have nothing, and suddenly its Mugarbe's fault, the only thing Mugarbe is responsible for is that he did not educate the people to run their own Country, their Farms and their Land. No body has ever come to Britain and layed Claim to British land, based on colour. People in Africa Have Nothing except their Mineral Diamond & Gold.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Mugabe is now a prisoner of his own system!
The people he awarded power will not let him do other than he is doing, they have become too used to their privileges and are also very afraid. They have not yet provoked a reaction they can 'put down' by force and are reduced to more blatant manouvres and there is little we in the 'white world' can do apart from watch with horror.
Terrible!

Jim Golightly, Prudhoe, England

How can the rest of the world let this carry on in Zimbabwe amazes me after we have gone into places like Afghanistan and Iraq, Mugabe is a defiant dictate who refuses to give his power up and the military is scared anyone else taking over from Mugabe because of war crimes, human rights abuses, corruption, and embezzlement and they are scared for being hold accountable to there actions, the people of Zimbabwe are being killed staved and have no hope of work so they can support there family’s because the economy has been so run down by Mugabe’s dictatorship and the people of Zimbabwe are screaming out for change but the rest of the world is willing to sit back and let this carry on, when will the United Nations take action and help the people of Zimbabwe and send in peace keepers to force out Mugabe and hold the people accountable for war crimes and human rights abuses and help the country set up a proper democratically run government who looks after the people of that nation, the people who have the power to change things in the world have the responsibility to help the people in Zimbabwe to make the changes and help the people of that country.

Nick, Manchester, England

If the nations of South Africa are not prepared to intervene in the Zimbabwe debacle, then I am afraid they alone are the people to blame, and we have to stay well clear. Sad but true, the poor people of Zimbabwe will be left to suffer more because of the behaviour of the cowardly states of the southern Africa.

Ron O'Toole, Norwich, England

They have all had their fingers in the pie for such a long time and so are delaying for fear they will all lose the lifestyles. Sick!

Mugabe and his cronies should be had up for war crimes and hanged for the murder of millions.

Ann, Enfield , England

Send in the SAS; bring Mugabe to The Hague.

Mike Poskitt, Bournemouth, UK

I am old enough to remember the liberation of African states from British colonialism and the pride and hope for the future that followed their independence.

Robert Mugabe is wise enough to know that the "Commonwealth" was a shallow replica of the old regime.

However time has moved on and the world now is multi-national. Here in Britain we now have encompassed multiculturalism. We are no longer colonialists and are the better for it.

Robert Mugabe liberated his people with their support. He should now be bold again and liberate them from poverty by encompassing true democracy that wil bring real economic benefits. That is what his people need.

Frank Woodcock, The Rhondda, Wales

This is the same Mbeki who claimed that HIV/Aids is due to poverty and poor diet and not due to transmittable virus.
He now compounds our disbelief in his judgement by apparently agreeing that, after discussions with the super-biased Mugabe, there is no emergency in Zimbabwe.
How incredible is this guy Mbeki ? Can his opinion carry any respect from Western and African governments ? I think not.
Mbeki is a cardboard cut-out. Surely his days in office in South Africa are numbered like that of Mugabe's ?
God help Africa. Where are the African leaders with international stature and respect ? I cannot think of one at the moment.

Dr. Jimmy, Nottingham, England

Tony Hopes (above) has hit the proverbial nail right on the head. The other African leaders will do nothing. Corruption is endemic in their countries too, and that is what keeps many of these crackpots in power and their foreign bank accounts stashed with billions, while their people starve.

There is a saying: People in glass houses don't throw stones. And I'm very sad to say that Africa is one big glass house.

Martin, Wandsworth, UK

We clearly know what Mugabe is cable of, from the muders of some 20 thousand Ndebele villagers to destroying the the farming community, because of his blind hatered. Mbeki can be label with the same attributes, as he chooses to persit with his quite diplomacy. One should never forget that most Africans, when faced with the need to choose be it right or wrong, they will always side with thier own kind. A trate the Westerns could learn from. Most often the West will rather say nothing or just look the other way when thier brethren or in need of urgent assitance.

Keith, Peterbourgh, UK

Sadly, as the leaders of other African countries again turn a blind eye to the turmoil in Zimbabwe, the prospect looms of yet more bloodshed on that long-suffering continent.
Destitute and oppressed people with no hope for improvement inevitably reach the point where there is nothing to lose by rising up against it..
Whatever Robert Mugabe may be, he not a fool, and he obviously realises this. He and those who benefit from supporting him also appreciate that he dare not relinquish power, as they will no longer be able to purchase the loyalty and, as a result, the ongoing protection of the military and legislature.
Possibly the most likely explanation for the supine compliance of other African leaders, is the fear of the domino affect, whereby if one rotten regime falls, others will topple.
As always, the only losers will be those who already have little or nothing .

Tony Hopes, Reading, Berkshire

The countries which Mugabe admired in his youth -- China and Russia -- didn't bother with real elections at that time and, for the most part, still don't. However, the world tolerates those regimes because they seem able to manage their economies and feed their populations.

On the scale of world tyrants, Mugabe is small potatoes. This is a crisis because Mugabe, despite his several college degrees, seems hopelessly incapable of managing a post-subsistence economy. Unless the world agrees to supply food, which strikes me as unlikely in an environment of increasing scarcity, Zimbabwe will be left to fend for itself and, most likely, millions will starve.

Rob Spooner, Florence, USA

Who's the real villain here Mugabe or Mbeki? Difficult to tell them apart...

Mugabe must have something on Mbeki - I can't see why Mbeki wants to keep Mugabe in power except if there are financial ties between the two...

James, Salisbury, Uk

Bob. It is almost pointless trying to describe your behaviour - there just arent the words left. As for you Thabo, God knows you should have done better. Perhaps its because you have given up that you dont care any more? History is very unforgiving and unfortunately you will be remembered best for for allowing your struggle comrade to get away with murder - literally and for allowing some of the worst human suffering that the world has witnessed. To the military in Zimbabwe we rest easy in the knowledge that you will have nothing but misery to the end of your days

Arkwright, Perth, Australia

I think Mugabe did not attend the SADC Summit on 12/4/08 because he feared he might be subject to a citizen arrest or maybe be assassinated by those who wish him gone; he feared he was being set up. But sooner or later nature will have its way with him.

zebbi, london,

I think the Zimbabwean case must now be brought under the United Nations to determine the future of the country. It is crystal clear that without the use of paramillitary millitia, terror, violence and intimidation Zanu PF cannot win elections in Zimbabwe. This in turn silences sceptics who were refusing to accept that President Mugabe is not an elected leader. On the other hand, the recent developments cast a lot of doubt as to whether the ballot system is appropriate for Zimbabwe. The systematic failure of regional groups including the African Union and SADC to curtail Mugabe to accept an election result over which he presided means that the destiny of the people of Zimbabwe can no longer be entrusted to such defunct organisations. Perhaps it's time to look beyond Africa e.g. The Pentagon for advice.

David Makuyana, London,