I cannot believe how much longer the African nations will leave Zimbabwe to the dogs.
You must act now to prevent any further bloodshed and bring about sanity and democracy in this very urgent matter.

janice Fowkes, Ilkeston, Derbys England

This just shows that initiatives like NEPAD are just a pipe dream; African leaders have not really changed since the bad old days of the OAU, the dictator's club of Africa.

If anyone needed any proof, just ask what happened to the peer review of South Africa. The SA government tried to supress NGO input critical of it. Mbeki didn't like the final report so they canned it.

RogerP, Pretoria,

@ Gilbert Phiri

I don't understand the thinking of some of my African compatriots. By starving his own population, brutally putting them down with guns, amending the constitution for his own benefit, refusing to accept voters' verdict in elections, not caring about the AIDS epidemic, not caring about 80% unemployment or 200,000% inflation [they are never mentioned], are you suggesting that Mugabe is somehow "fixing the white man"? My friend, when Africa has people who think like you, it's no matter we are where we are at the butt of the world!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Gilbert Phiri I was wondering when Mugagbe's shameful mouthpiece would add his two cents worth. How any articulate, intelligent person can support Mugagbe's actions is astounding, maybe you're worried that your day of reckoning is coming?
Which part of starving your people or brutally punishing their exercising of democratic rights is to be highly commended?

You happily express your views on Zimbabwe, safe in the knowledge that you'll not be questioned under the protection that the UK affords you, unlike the man and regime you so vehemently support. Shame on you.

Dave, Gibraltar,

Yes yes Gilbert get the violins out same argument different day. The fact of the matter is that Zimbabweans are dying while this man lives in a 17 million us dollar palace and in revenge for voting against him he destroys their houses. They have nothing 8% of the population are employed and an average life expectancy of 35. Yes you can harp on about colonialism but Zimbabwe is being threatend by re-colonised by the Chinese where he is giving away our land, minerals and resources to this Beijing regime which incidentally is a complete and utter threat to our sovereignty. This is no longer about Britain but about the people of Zimbabwe and their right to life, healthcare, food and employment not about an 84yr old corrupt president which has nothing to offer his country he's had 28 years to get it right. This is not the Royal family Zanu-PF its politics and they are paid by taxpayers!! Its time for accountability.

Simon, Cleveland, USA

luo, zs,
Farmer workers were not slaves. They were paid for their work; slaves are not. Their homes were on the farms; when the farms were invaded, those workers lost their homes, as well as their jobs. There was no hunger while white farmers were producing food; Zimbabwe had enough food for all.

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

LUO, ZS: Indeed, Zimbabwe is no longer a British colony, which is why none of my hard-earned money should go to help Mugabe and his cronies live the high life, whilst the ordinary people starve.

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

You all very unfair. How can anyone expect Mbeki to do anything about Mugabe? We've all seen the picture of them holding hands, looking coy, but so happy.

Doesn't that tell you ANYTHING?

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

Zimbabwe not the UK 's colony any more , forget your colonial interests on it and give your actual supporting for their development like friend instead of blame and isolation. Zimbabwe is a poor country which suffered from your long time spoliation and oppression, as a responsible country your UK should compensate them.

luo, zs,

Before you criticise the Zimbabwe, do not you know before earth innovation, that about 0.05% of white colonist rob over 75% of the land belong to original black people and treat the black people as slaves ? how can the hunger not happen in such a country ? do your UK guys have a sense of justice and sympathy?

luo, zs,

It's about time African leaders and we African people stop blaming the British or any others for problems of our own making. It is a crying shame that African leaders have deferred to "elder" Mugabe and compromised on demanding what is right for the millions of Zimbabwe's people.

Christine, Georgia, USA

What's happening in Zimbabwe is nothing new has already happened before. Zimbabweans know the MDC won the 2000 parliamentary election which was rigged. When results started indicating an MDC victory the results were withheld in the same what as now and then changed in favour of ZANU-PF it was so blatant and obvious. SADC and Mbeki declared it free and fair although EU and Commonwealth said otherwise. Then Mugabe dished out his revenge, food supplies to opposition areas cut off, homes burnt people beaten, rapped and murdered, opposition leaders beaten and jailed. The UN and African nations stood by and did nothing then and will do nothing now. Zimbabwe is a fake democracy. I remember how in the late 1980's and early 1990 Mugabe was campaigning for a one party state but could not because of the need for aid and investment as well as the economy in Zambia at that time a one party state.The only way to sort Mugabe out is to force him to accept an international observer mission.

Julio, Soton, UK

"...The African Union wishes to express its concern over the delay observed in the announcement of Zimbabwe’s election results, which creates an atmosphere of tension,”...

Well then, there it is. Nothing else to say is there? Pass the U.N. champagne please....

Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

Can anybody be found in White House or Downing street who can spend some time on this issue of Zimbabwe?
Is anybody there who is interesting to save several thousands of human lifes which is clear that will be threatten very soon?

Totis Miliotis, Athens, Greece

You don't have to be a genius to understand what's going on in Zimbabwe. The world knows that Mugabe lost the election and is clinging on to power because he knows he's likely to end up in jail, or worse, as soon as he steps down. In the meantime thousands of innocent people are being brutalised and starved, while the world watches and "tut tuts" about Mugabe's conduct, and nothing happens. When Mugabe finally announces a resounding victory for himself, at the expense of many lives, the world will know that they have stood by and watched and, more importantly, done nothing.
What has to happen before the UN or another force moves in to take control, and stop the bloodshed?
World leaders talk endlessly about justice and the rights of man, and how those rights must be protected - unless of course you come from Zimbabwe, Tibet or Borneo.

Jeff Bellamy, Peterborough,

The ZEC is run by ZANU PF, so how can they be independant?The MDC won the elections fair and square but Mugabe and his cronnies won't release the real results because they know that they will be charged with war crimes. The ballot boxes were held at police stations where ZANU PF could get to them and rig votes for Mugabe. The African leaders are scared of Mugabe as he knows too many of their secrets. The UN must take a stand and help the people of Zimbabwe, their suffreing has gone on long enough. God Bless the people of Zims and may He give them the strength to fight off the Evil that has taken over their beautiful country.

Sharon, Newcastle, South Africa

Where was all this fire when South Africa was under apartheid and the black people could not VOTE and where treated LESS than people. Without Mugabe and others South Africa would still be in the clutches of apartheid. That Britain frustrated the efforts aimed at dismantling apartheid, removes any vestige of morality in their now trying to hypocritically sound concerned about Zimbabwe.
Until Britain's voice is heard in condemning China on human rights violations and boycotting trade with it then it has no morality to question other African leaders! Britain shamelessly conducts lucrative business with Saudi Arabia and yet wants the rest of Africa to shun Zimbabwe! Why these double standards? Thankfully Mugabe sees the charade and his resolve not to be pushed is highly commended!

Gilbert Phiri, Swindon, UK

What exactly happening with the An Yue Jiang?

She has been listed as a casualty with Lloyds three times since she left Durban.

Is she now an outlaw because she evaded the High Court order?

Is the civil sheriff after her to attach the cargo to pay back a German bank for what Zim owes?

Is she an outlaw under maritime law because she does not have port clearance?

Where will she get fuel to go anywhere?

Is she a casualty, or is this a ruse?

COSCO have ships all over the world. Will action against COSCO vessels spread?

Jo, Jo, UK

why all thissudden panic.After the election weekend it was clear the MDC had caused damage to ZANUPF and Mugabe.The world allowed the delay by suggesting this was somehow OK in Africa. The lack of condemnation and delay in counting or rather trickling the rsults allowed the Army, CIO, Ruling elite to organise and organise a defacto coup as Tsvangirai puts it. The West mustsupport democracy if its to win the minds of the World.TheWest should be on the side of democracy and human rights.Brown has been courageos but more from the EU would help.ChinA have chosen their side,shipping arms the day after the election. Everyone knows ZANU PF lost . The danger is to do a fix as in Kenya which goes against the popular vote. People are already dying. The UN should make it clear they will try those in the armed forces and police who will kill their own people for expressing their choice. The public can help dont support the Olympics in China. Boycott world Cup in South Africa

davidson, kirkcaldy, uk

The long standing policy by OAU , now Africa Union, not to comment or act on the internal affairs of member countries calls to question the very existence and usefulness of the organisation. That it continues to crises in Africa, including the voilation of the people's electoral will in different countries, is part of the misfortune of postindepence Africa. It is often a lisence to Africa's bread-and-butter leaders for the abuse of office and power. There is also a sense in which that policy and South Africa's silence on the political disaster in Zimbabwe are criminal and inhuman. Yet I am convinced that the weary and cunning Mr Mugabe is merely dancing in borrowed robes. Nothing is now more clearly written in the book of fate than that there will be change in Zimbabwe.

C. Krydz Ikwuemesi (Nigerian), Osaka, Japan

C. Krydz Ikwuemesi, Enugu, Nigeria

Mbeki by his complacency and therefore his tacit complicity will go down in history as a willing accomplice of the tyrant Mugabe. Maybe Mbeki has some skeletons of his own which Mugabe will unravel once he is brought to justice in the Hague.

Mugabe is currently engineering with the 'independent' electoral commission the theft of the ballots and ultimately the election. I am sure he stole the previous one as well.

China by its actions does not deserve to host the Olympic Games. It has in the past and even now continues to violate the principles and the goodwill that the Games are supposed to foster.It continues to prop equally repressive regimes like theirs in Burma and Zimbabwe.

Mugabe has learnt the art of manipulating elections from them.They both continue to violate basic human rights., Their list of crimes is endless. To cap it all China has a veto in the UN to 'enshrine' this fundamental abuse.

Neville , Auckland, New Zealand

What is the point of the UN? Isn't this the very kind of situation where concerted action by the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe are put in place? And maybe South Africa should also be acted against as long as Mbeki continues to give tacit support to Mugabe.

Jerry Latham, Uttoxeter, England

How can the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission be considered independent, when ZANU-PF have had access to the ballots (They must of otherwise how could they call for a re-count when the results haven't been announced yet and yet they are saying there were ireggularities in several counts.)

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Watching all these 'leaders' from 'here there and everywhere' babble away, seems to be the equivalent of watching a fire brigade with no hoses, training or brains run around in circles whilst a house burns to the ground with loads of people in it.

Jez W, Leeds,