There is only one country to blame for the situation in Zimbabwe. & that is the politics of Britain. Smith was right & all Zimbabweans would be in a much better position today if this interfering Political system had let them get on with caring for that country. mbeki is already trying to do what Mugabe has done. Birds of the feather, flock together ?.

Jessica Simpson, Leeds,

I totally Agree that Mbeki has not said anything about this dire situation. In fact he has even gone so far as to try and cover it up by saying there is nothing wrong in Zimbabwe.

One has to understand that in the African culture you respect your elders, much more so than in the European culture. Mbeki is a lighty compared to Mugabe, Mugabe used to be involved with Mbeki’s father. As such there is not much Mbeki can say to Mugabe to make any difference what so ever.

Furthermore, I disagree that South Africa is benefiting from Zimbabwean professionals. What you see is a mass exodus of Zimbabweans from Zimbabwe. This does not benefit the country it cause a strain on it.

We as South African's are not America; we cannot simply invade the country and tell them what to do. Nor would we want to. That said Mbeki as our leader needs to show some backbone and tell it as it is. However further sanctions will not help the people on the streets of Zimbabwe. So what’s the solution?

Gordon, Durban, South Africa

But I thought there was "no crisis in Zimbabwe" just like the President of South Africa told us.

Mark Marshall, Corpus Christi, TX

It's disgusting and shameful for Mbeki to say the situation in Zimbabwe is manageable. It's ok for him because he is benefitting from Zimbabwean professionals at the expense of Zimbabwe. What about those who cannot leave Zimbabwe. Come on Mr Mbeki, how long should the souls in Zimbabwe endure such suffering and live in exile.

Immaculata Mandewo, Beckenham, U.K.

Mbeki, like Mandela before him, has done nothing to solve the problem. There too scared of saying things, they'll tell the world that they'll try to resolve the issue, but in the clear light of day, in the presence of Mugabe they change their stance.

Martin L, Stockport,

Hey Ho..........at last the image envisaged by many Westerners, of black people who are full of blood lust, attacking others is coming to fruition.............and who is to blame? All those who Kow=towed to the so called liberators from past colonial rule!
This takes them back to the days of tribal rule and discipline by the machete and stick........forget democracy.that did not exist in the past.....and this has now come full circle. And what do the rest of the world do?..just wring their hands and say 'woe is me'............UN and the rest should just embargo Zim until democracy and law and order is restored..........(but | am not holding my breath!)

Peter, Birmingham, UK

The constant reference to Zimbabwe being an African problem is wholly inaccurate, it is a universal problem and one of which we should all be ashamed. To suggest that it is for African nations to solve it is absurd, they neither have the will or the ability to sort it. It is just too bad that the influence of the UN has been so eroded, or this would have been one for them.

Don, Glasgow,

So it has begun... and the so called leaders of Africa will sit by and do nothing, the UN will bleat as usual and prove as ineffective as ever and the West will do the same, unable or unwilling to act after the debacle in Iraq and the problems of Afghanistan. The only solution appears to be that the MDC learn from Mr Mugabe's history and start a war to get rid of him. It is sad to have to say it... but violence is probably the only language Mugabe understands.

Andrew Brown , derby, uk

I agree with David. I am afraid that the situation in Zimbabwe, and in fact just about every African country since the 60's is not a great advert for self governance. 40 years of African killing African, often in the most brutal fashion. Once wealthy nations reduced to chaotic failed states.

The first thing Africans must do to create a better future for themselves ...stop killing, raping and maiming each other. Please.

Steven Dougan, County Durham, United Kingdom

Some people have tried to blame the chaos in Rhodesia "c) The economic effects of sanctions already in force " - amongst other causes.
I dispute this: there are sanctions imposed internationally, but are these not just against Mugabe himself & his named acolytes? Strangely enough, despite this, this crew pocket what money the country still has whilst the rest starve.
How could the UK blessed Mugabe as a ruler to replace Ian Smith ?? When Mugabe is eventually hauled to the Hague, Lord Carrington or his ghost should go also

M.Lester, London, UK

Civilised - ha! How can the world' s leaders not hold their heads in shame at not acting over this deplorable state of affairs. If Zimbabwe controlled some oil or wealth well, we'd have been there like a shot. They try to engage us in politics and get us to vote - what is the point if this is western democracy in action.

drbob, LIVERPOOL, UK

And the world leaders are paralysted in hesitant stance! World population are waiting for action. Mugabe must be brought to trial in Africa, no escape root to freedom in the west deals. No soft trial in the Hague.

Ray, Newcastle, UK

raymond, the norf. The reason that China has been able to have double digit growth is becasue they started from a verly low baseline, their productivity figures are still well behind the developed world. An this has been achieved with massive unrest amongst farming and rural communities who see their land taken and their water supplied polluted. Of course, as they have growth so they have wage inflation (as is happening in India), so eventually there will be no saving for manufacturers moving production over there. Then, of course, there will be an even bigger crash as Asia hits the buffers, with half the worlds population suffering.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

If only Zimbabwe had oil! Then Condoleeezzza Rice would be stepping in to "deplore" and the Bushes stepping forward to confirm that "aggression would not stand."

Yes, it's oil that leads to democracy these days. I don't think we can expect America or Britain to do much about this. Maybe Jack Straw could go shake Mugabe's hand? I mean, firmly, to show he's not just messing around.

Ah, civilization!

iain carstairs, bedford, uk

Forget the asinine "there-is-no-oil-in -Zimbabwe-so-Bushitler-won't-invade" rubbish. If the US needed an excuse to invade any oil rich country brutalised by a criminally insane leader, Equatorial Guinea would be flying the Stars and Stripes by now.

A military solution would be very difficult in Zimbabwe. It is a land locked country. Any movement of troops and equipment to affect an attack would have to be based in and pass through surrounding states to get to Zimbabwe. Of these South Africa has most efficient infrastructure to support this sort of operation, but we know that would never happen. To its eternal shame the SA government is in bed with Mugabe. And so are all the other states around Zimbabwe.

The most realistic scenario is to wait for the place to collapse. Then rich nations will play their usual baling out game, with our money and our resources, of course.

What was worse than colonialisation in Africa? De-colonialisation.

David Allen, Marietta, USA

Where is our great champion of civil rights and democracy, Mr Bush? Ooops, I forgot. There is no oil underneath Zimbabwe!

Michael Kirk, LURAY, Virginia

I think the Chinese have proven they can run economies the better than europe over the last decade or so with double economic growth. their autocratic method seems to work unlike the democratic systems of the west. Never mind that the majority of people don't want them. They can run the economy better. Lets hand them all the farmland and companies. There is also scientific evidence to suggest they have higher IQs then us. If they do invade and take our land by force we shouldn't resist we're better of with them running things. Sound like a good idea? Thought not!

raymond, the norf, uk

Isn't it interesting that after all those years of aparthied during which the ANC pressurised other countries to help their campaign for justice.They are the now ones who have knowingly stood by and watched while their neighbours are oppressed. In actively supporting a murderous dictator they have become a morally bankrupt organisation whose reputation is tarnished.

tony, hove,

Mbeki had the chance to impress hundreds of millions of peace loving Africans and the rest of the world with strong leadership in this very difficult situation. Instead so far he has chosen only to bury his head in the sand and pretend everything is just dandy up north. How can such an educated man act like this? No-one is perfect but come on, man! Get a backbone, be bold and take a stand for all the people of southern Africa - others will follow.

Defending the brotherhood and old mates is a traqically short-sighted as well as antiquated stance (not to mention condescending). Do the leaders of Africa really think the people of Africa sleep well at night because the world was told to sod off that day and keep out of African affairs? No - the people of Africa will never sleep in peace whilst they remain hungry and at constant risk from dangerous criminal activity.

Mr Mbeki - it is not too late to right things. Are you willing to take up the challenge?

Hugh Howard, St Albans,

If Brown and Bush care to know why their popularity ratings are down in the sewer they need look no further than their sadistic indifference to the horrors of Darfur and Zimbabwe.

Both of these killing fields could be solved easily and quickly. A matter of a 20,000 peace keeping force and appointment of caretaker governments.

I know Zimbabweans. They are caring, intelligent, honest and hard working people. They deserve better.

Meantime, let's disband the UN. An obscenity in a troubled world. It dines off silver, habitually steals funds and looks the other way whenever it is needed.
No wonder the word "moon" is linked with "lunatic".

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, KSA

You can bet that when Mugabe finally calls it a day he will be welcomed with open hands to enjoy his property and wealth that he has in the UK.

George Sign, Nice, France

Thomas Burley of Liverpool, you are quite correct and that is what should have happened when it was Rhodesia and the same with South Africa, a country following Zimbabwe as most who read the news must know. The Soviet Union should have been instructed by the UN to keep out of Africa with their sponsored terrorism, and the white Africans who have now been completely exonerated in Zim as being the best to run the country. I can remember the days when a Rhod$ (Zim$) was the same value as a US$.

The world was warned by Ian Smith and the other white Africans, but it adopted the racist stance and did not listen. The world including Wilson's Labour govt. should have kept out. Soon, billions of tonnes of cheap food will be demanded by these countries as they starve due to their theft of the farms from productive white farmers, yes in SA as well, and they will use the excuse that the West is responsible for their plights due to global warming and biofuel. Feed yourself, Africa.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

It is very important to distinguish seven things:
a) Freedom from violence
b) The economic effects of poor policy
c) The economic effects of sanctions already in force
d) The economic effects of the mass stay-away of 3 million Zimbabweans who withdrew their labor by leaving the country
e) Support for the opposition
f) Support for a democratic process
g) General hatred for RGM, any thing African ,etc.

Most of us want to support a) and f). Muddling in the others obscures our point and makes us sound hateful.

Can I ask The Times, would this be allowed if this was a UK story? As with the current controversy about contempt of court in the Madeleine case, will we be asked this question in the future: did the British newspapers fan a genocide?

To Paul, whom I will pick on because I think I know you (didn't you use to drive a Morris Minor?), you obviously have strong opinions. What reactions are you seeking? What do you want people to feel and to do about their feelings?

Jo, Olney, UK

"Heart of darkness" and "things fall apart" indeed.

The SADC and the West need to act vigorously to end this grotesque, farcical parody of democracy that is being played out in Zimbabwe.

African countries need pressurise Mugabe to go , if only out of self-interest - to avoid perpetuating the image of Africa as the dark continent, to prevent a slow decline of Southern Africa and to avoid more Mugabe refugees arriving in their back gardens.

The West - activists and heads of governments who profess a concern for "human rights" when it comes to exotic places like Tibet and easy targets like the 2008 Olympics - needs to end its hypocrisy and awaken its conscience about the tragi-comedy that has been slowly unfolding in Zimbabwe over the past 8 (no, twenty-eight years). A pity that black people patiently, meekly and silently suffering with no jobs and no food and beaten and killed in quiet corners are not as exotic and colourful as monks in saffron robes and mobs burning cars.

GARY, MEIZHOU, CHINA

If, as many are saying, problems in Zimbabwe should be left to Zimbabwians to sort-out - and Tibet, now a part of China (but formerly a separate kingdom) should be left to China to sort-out - how very much more than either of them should the problems of Kosovo - (the ancient heartland of the Serbs...!) - have been left to Serbia (former Yugoslavia) to sort-out...!!!

Meanwhile, the "West" (meaning the USA) picks and chooses which regimes to allign with - never according to any genuine moral justification but, instead, Selective Intervention, solely on grounds of political expediency...!

John Jay, Walton on Thames, UK

Lord Carrington states that the imposition of Mugabe on Zimbabwe was all he could do at the time.
Quite so. Perhaps he should have left the solution to others more able.

Jones, Sydney, Australia

Graham Richards (Brisbane) states "the Aboriginal people of Australia have certainly not suffered the abuse of the people of Rhodesia." No atrocities can be compared and he lives in denial, in Australia's most shamefully racist state that until the 1990s endured two generations of political dictatorship backed by corrupt politicians and police (proven fact). He forgets the genocide of Aborigines by the British army and colonists from settlement in the 18th century until Australia's nationhood early last century. Then it continued, including outback "shooting parties", for another half century or more (proven facts). Recent history until this day is marked by depravation and callousness against Aborigines. Everyone knows Mugabe is a monster and African nations are shamed by their denial and comfort. What to do, that's the question? Certainly not attack a PM of 30 years ago who has tried as hard as anyone to end apartheid and instill democracy in Africa. No, I never voted for him.

E. Cowham, Melbourne, Australia

Graham Richards...Malcolm Fraser is not quiet, just "perplexed" ....see http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s117019.htm
You're right, he doesn't have much to say. He and Thabo Mbeki make a good pair!!!

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

LesH, Zhangzhou, China says :


"Why is it that the rest of the world stands by and does nothing while these despots abuse their positions and drive their people into the ground? Why? "

Indeed.
And why, at the same time, is the rest of the world
is jumping on the fashionable Tibet protest bandwagon while saying nothing about Zimbabwe?

And Thomas Burley, Liverpool, UK says :

"Ethically speaking it is wrong to force a country to the bidding of another. Indeed it is an African problem."

Just so. And I hope those who say that Zimbabwe is an African problem, to left to Zimbabweans to sort out, are also saying that Tibet is a Chinese problem, to be sorted out by the Chinese.

GARY, GD,

Remember all those clergymen, Anglican Archbishops, World Council of Churches apparachiks etc. who demanded the British Government use military force to overthrow Ian Smith? Where are they now?

Kevin Dunn, Nedlands, WA, Australia

People do not realise we're placed in quite a predicament. Ethically speaking it is wrong to force a country to the bidding of another. Indeed it is an African problem however the African Union is a weak body and institution filled with petty crooked politicians (whether democratic or not) and tyrants. The UN is no better, it has become impractical filled with squabbling delegates securing their own interests, merely a repeat of the League of Nations, a "paper tiger". It is clear and has always been clear that Robert Mugabe is a dictator and just as much as racist as that of Apartheid. His regime is well-founded on brutality and corruption is rampant. Zimbabwe's economy is virtually on the brink of limbo. Violence and strife has been an everyday occurance. Zanu-Pf and Mugabe will use any means necessary of force or threat to stay in power. While the West remains powerless- we can only pray. Let us hope internally in Zimbabwe a counter Winds of Change breeze anew- sic semper tyrannis!

Thomas Burley, Liverpool, UK

In some ways it is a pity that Mugabe does not have enough clout simply to abolish elections in his country. At least that way, Zimbabweans would be saved the humiliation and disappointment, of being bashed senseless to make them vote for a party (Zanu) which will never cede power anyway.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

So sad that such terrible things are happening to such a beautiful country. But sadder still that President "No Crisis" Mbeki just stands there and reinforces, with every missed opportunity for leadership, the impression that Africa is just a basket case. Meanwhile, his neighbours are beaten and stabbed, and starve in a land of 100,000% inflation, and he says there is no crisis. Shame on you, Mbeki: this will be what the world will remember you for.

Tim Mathieson, Shanghai,

Why is it that the rest of the world stands by and does nothing while these despots abuse their positions and drive their people into the ground? Why?

LesH, Zhangzhou, China

It is a crying shame that the now un-empowered Thabo Mbeki, a close ally of Mugabe and previous leader of the ANC had not taken a more firm approach to the escalating situation in Zimbabwe. Perhaps the rest of the world will take a stand against Mbeki and force his hand in a more pro active approach instead of his quiet diplomacy efforts that has yielded no measured change. It is a shame that a country once known for it's wealth of beauty and a prime tourist destinantion has been destroyed by the power hungry despot Robert Mugabe and his cronies.

H Roetz, Woodstock, USA

What can one say, Mr Mugabe is playing to the worst stereotype of the banana republic cruel dictator eg Idi Amin. This will surely warm the hearts of every white redneck out there who maintain that apartheid was necessary and justified to keep lawless blacks under control. My heart bleed for Africa! South Africa's inaction is inexcusable.

Bala, Canberra, Australia

The Australian prime minister of the day who helped put old Bob in power maintained he was the best statesman Africa
had ever seen. Hello Mr Fraser could we have some comment!!!!

This is what happens when you ignore the people like Ian Smith who know better. People who know nothing of Africa should keep out of it.

That prime minister, Malcolm Fraser is noticeably quiet of late. In fact he has nothing to say. At the very least he should apologise to people of Zimbabwe.......after all he could not wait to apologise to the Aboriginal people of Australia who have certainly not suffered the abuse of the people of Rhodesia.

Graham Richards, Brisbane, Australia

Thabo Mbeki and SADC are directly responsible for this. They have effectively given Mugabe a licence to do as he wishes. William is right, hit the SADC countries in the pocket where it hurts most, until they sort this situation out. They are all for African solutions to African problems, let them put their money where their mouth is.

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

Is this the way to deal with democracy? Is this the way a leader should treat his people? It is high time the governments of developed nations stop sitting on the fences and step in to clear up this mess in Zimbabwe. They did it without excuse in Iraq, they should be equally willing to do so in Zimbabwe.

Tai Yang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Zimbabwe is a one-party state.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

All aid to africa should be stopped.Then these so called
african leaders would get there act right.

William Sheehy, london, uk