Why have this charade of elections when people are not allowed to express their will?

No wonder Mugabe refuses to be interviewed by the free press. Only state controlled "journalists" who are told what to ask can interview him. Asking where the money for his palace came from is "impertinent".

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Mbeki and Mugabe will soon be has-beens. Many Africans are tired of their lot: impoverished lives, uncertainty and a lack of democracy and progress in an electronic age. When the era of rapid progress in China and India dies down, Africa will inevitably enjoy its own technological revolution.

Rose, Kent, UK

An opportunity for Brown? He knows that if the West deposes of Mr. Mugabe, he's going to be the next one with his back up against the wall. 42-day detention? why not 42000-day detention? Both Brown and Mugabe went to the Cheney school of diplomacy, and seems like they passed with flying colors...

T, London,

Re Winston Nkomo-Mason's comment:
1. What 'ancient liberties' does he refer to?
2. 'Uhuru' in practice has brought precious little in the way of freedom and prosperity to ordinary Africans.
3. As for 'ubuntu' - ask the foreigners on the receiving end of the recent violence here in SA about that!

Ronni Curtis, Johannesburg, South Africa

we need to get down on our hands and knees, humble ourselves and pray for this nation, asking God to heal this land - man alone doesn't look like he can do anything to change this situation...

Mel, Aberdeen, UK

Western friends, Don't just think of oil. Don't shame your countries. They are in Afghanistan where there is no oil. Ponder abit. If they intervene in Zim. another country will pop up calling for help. How many countries can you meddle with?
Please focus on the situation in your own countries first

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

The way things are going it will soon be "opposing george w. bush is now treason in america".

James, Basel , Switzerland

If the Zim election was a Prem League match it would be like Man U v Chelsea where the ref is not allowed into the ground, one team's supporters and players are beaten up by the police and even if they manage to win the result is not announced for weeks! Oh and Mbeki would be looking the other way!

Chris Jay, Shropshire, UK

African governments will not condem what Mugabe is doing ,as most of them will be using the same methods to cling to power once the people get sick of their corrupt rule.

Dully, London, UK

Some Americans seem to have forgotten that it is their ancestors as well who are part of Europe's Colonial past. The US is a very young country. We are all in it and whilst we are all still debating the rights and wrongs - people are dying.

Susan, Texas, USA

What are other African countries doing to help Zims - NOTHING

Mike, Gravesend, England

The UK is doing just fine out of Mugabe's rule ,British companies trading on the FTSE are trading away and digging up minerals . As long as they are making a fast buck it doesnt matter who rules to them or what happens to the people .As long as the ZANU PF elite get their cut everything is great!

Dully, London, UK

You will see the same thing when the ANC lose an election is South Africa. It will be called treason to vote for the oposition.

Peter, London,

Born in England, lived in Zimbabwe for 40 years and now the US for 10, I've learnt a thing or two. Tyrants like Mugabe and his clones are a global shame we need a REAL United Nations not grannies with knitting needles. Come to think of it, my granny would have done a better job than the UN.

Susan, Texas, USA

Shame on Mandela and all the apartheid supporters who remain strangely quiet when its African suppressing Africans.

R Bowden, London,

We are watching the death throes of a dictator. What legacy does this old fool leave ? The name Mugabe will forever be used as a measure of desperation and moral depravity.

Stephen, Sydney, Australia

China has propped up Mugabe and his criminal Government for years now. They get what they want (access to raw materials, especially copper) and Mugabe gets just about anything.

So nobody will invade, certainly not the UK. We have absolutely no military capacity to even think of doing so.

Brian Herren, Guildford, UK

This is the kind of law we need in America! Keep those treasonous Democrats away from false charges for Impeachment of our Great President, George W. Bush (Praise Be Unto Him).

Dr. Ted Baehr, Atlanta, GA, USA

Stand by for the usual screams that America should either:
a) Go In Now, or
b) Get Out Now, or
c) Go in now but get out by the end of the week when we're all bored and then we'll blame the ensuing disaster on the White House anyway.
No wonder Americans can feel a little unsettled now and again.

David Masu, Zürich,

I hate it, but im tired of American blood being spilled to help clear up Europes colonial past. Everytime we help, the very countries who started these messes 60 years ago, blame the USA. From Africa to the Balkins, Europe makes the mess, then sits and says Shame when people die. Dont look to us!

william, Atlanta, USA

Maybe just one SAS squad to go in and bring Mugabe out put him in stock outside the Hague and leave him there for trial for crimes against humanity. Then throw full support behind a new Government. Giving back farms would be a start to feeding the people again. lets see if Brown is made of anything

Lloyd, London,

There are lots of comments on the site about doing something. SO what are you doing to bring an end to Mugabe? You going to allow his cricket team to tour? Invite him to State functions. Lets start by stopping the cricket teams tour fax ECB 44 (0)20 7286 5583 and ask them to stop the tour.

Lloyd, London,

Getting rid of Mugabe in Zimbabwe is just the opportunity Gordon Brown should jump at to get his ratings up.This is the time for our PM to show what he is made of. This is his Falklands. Grab it Gordon. Show the world that you are an able leader and will take action where needed. Oil or no oil.

Two Cents, London, U.K.

I applaud Robert Mugabe for his stance against the foreign intervention within his country during an election. The west have a long way to go if it thinks it can create through starvation a form of mass post colonial amnesia on the population of Zimbabwe.

A, Akhetaten, birmingham, westmidlands

Whether Comrade Mugabe wins the election or not he and his party deserve a role in the governance of Zimbabwe. The struggle for justice and the maintenance of ancient liberties will continue because of the desire for autonomy, uhuru, ubuntu and African identity. Mbeki and African leaders have no choice but to respect the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation and esteemed neighbour. Perhaps also he knows the price that was paid for uhuru and ubuntu in all African countries

Winston Nkomo-Mason, Johannesburg, South Africa

invade??? grant come on there is no oil in rhodesia

peter jones, moscow,

Why arent we interested? Why arent we doing something?

Oil, or the lack of it.

It really is that simple.

Dan, Hastings,

What is politics all about?

odysseus, ithaca, us

Corruption is endemic in Africa - not one African state appears to object to Mugabe - indeed, some see him as an hero. Zim is an independent country - let Africa sort out its own mess; this is not the fault of colonial powers.

Ian Burgess, Bristol,

In 1939 there was a tyrant roaming around in Europe and the European nations, USA and Russia got rid of him. In 2008 there is a tyrant roaming around Africa bragging that he is "10 times worse that Hilter". A promise of good money to Zim military from rank of Major down will do the coup trick.

Graham, Maidenhead, UK

Why is it just down to the US/UK? What about the rest of the EU and Africa? Of course, it's easy to criticise the US/UK for not taking action, it is just as easy if that action takes longer than anticipated. However, it is easier to criticise than to do something.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

It is in England.

Andy, Stockholm / Chesterfield, England / Sweden

cant we just invade? The Zimbabwe army should pose no problems. And there wont be a meaningful insurgency because what is the motivating factor?

We have been hamstrung by a guilty conscience of those who still feel guilty about the Empire. (and Zimbabwe's lack of oil!)

Grant, Hobart, Australia

Can't see ANY African nation condeming Mugabe and his louts let alone DOING anything. Afterall, people who live in glass houses................

Susan, Texas, USA

Opposing Mugabe has always been severely punished. Before he got in in 1980 it was by having your lips cut off, or being burned alive. Not much has changed. The Brits turned a blind eye to the intimidation then to wash their hands of Smith and Rhodesia. Not much chance they'll do anything now...

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

I am grateful to media who shed light on events within Zim, even though the regime tries to stop it....what would happen if all of this energy used by the regime and army against its people was actually used to improve things and win votes instead of abusing its citizens?

Justice is coming...

Mary, Brisbane, Australia

Mr. Overton, I find it interesting that you and the rest of the left are riled against Bush because he doesn't go in guns blazing to stop Mugambe, however you rile against him because he DID go in guns blazing against Sadaam who was infinitely worse than Mugambe. He killed 100s of thousands. Hmmmm

Marc Alvarez, Sherman, TX, USA

Many posters want someone to go in. Who might I ask
should that be?
What about other African States?
They are right there and yet not one has lifted a finger to do
anything about it.
What are they waiting for?

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Where is James Bond when we need him?

John Carroll, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Mbeki in South Africa should really be worried because if Mugabe wins this election for president then pretty much every Zimbabwean is going to flood across into South Africa. Can South Africa cope with several million refugees?

Stephen, St. Ives, England

It was the Western leftists who insisted that "liberator" Mugabe be put in power. Let them volunteer to put their lives on the line to get him out. Oh wait, Western leftists don't join the "fascist" military. Seriously, we have no business in that country considering what it did to white farmers.

MaryJ, San Francisco, CA, USA

Mugabe will steal this next election, You can bet on that. When this happens, will the western world sit back and say 'well you voted for him'. The western world needs to get rid of him, by force if necessary.

Mr J. Morley, Rotorua, NZ

How on Earth can this be allowed? Mugabe is a ruthless evil man, surely there must be something that can be done to end this appauling corruption???

oh, actually, i guess there is no oil there for us, so the west just isn't interested....

Jon Overton, Gerrards Cross, UK

Sanctions will have little effect, the country hasn't been economically viable for a long time. South Africa needs to unconditionally condemn Zimbabwe's ruling regime, and the African Union needs to send in troops to restore order.

Jacob Tannenbaum, Melbourne, Australia

that is such a stupid thing to say Sanctions how is that going to help anybody. The only people who suffer when sanctions are imposed are the ordinary people of Zimbabwe not the leadership, try think of something constructive that won't hurt the people you are trying to protect

Linda, Australia,

We all pay, one way or another for these many huge International Humanitarian Organisations which seem particularly ineffective. Why is Mugabe's regime tolerated and allowed to prevail ? What are these organisations for? Mugabe knows the world has watched him for 28 years and done nothing and won't

John Turnbull, Algarve, Portugal

In reality - someone/some country should take Mugabe out - don't even hide the fact - get the Mossad or CIA or someone to take him out - he is a disgrace to the entire human race and the people of Zimbabwe deserve to be free from this Hitler-like scourge.

Mark, Atlanta, USA,

Someone should ask Mr Obama or Mr McCain what they will do about this situation if elected. The US, Australia and the UK should be there, fighting a 'good fight' for the people of Zimbabwe so they can get their life back.

C Collins, Nambour, Australia

..Whilst in the meantime the President of South Africa is insisting there are no problems in Zimbabwe. One has to wonder whether he really does wear a blindfold and ear muffs every time he visits, after all, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Aizen Sosuke, Liverpool,

There is only one answer to a tyrant, "Revolution!"

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable
John F Kennedy

Thomas, Washington DC, USA

Morgan Tsvangirai is a very brave man. I hope he doesn’t lose his life in hopes of improving the life of the people of Zimbabwe. Every time you think things couldn’t get worse you read of more and more outrageous acts by Mugabe and his thugs. At this point you wonder why have an election at all?

Wayne, Burleson,

There is no petrol there, therefore politicians can voice their opinion as loud as they want for public opinion, but they have little intention of taking actions and protect the population. Shame on them. They must have find some interest in it after all letting that dictator kills for votes.

lauren, London, Uk

at some point things get so irregular that some institution or government has to gird themselves to act african positive and impose a physical, ethicl/moral strategem, upon a serious sitution that is impacting on ordinary working people. let us put historical considerations aside and support life.

david anderson, holywood, n.ireland

I sit in awe of our Democracies I don’t think this is what they had in mind those Old Icons if they Could see China, Russia and South Africa playing politics’ with human life to preserve their shady investments and dealings with the JOC junta sponsored by Barclays, DeBeers Rio Tinto should i go on the Worlds knows why there is suffering in Zim lets ask the masters to leash their dog’s for peace sake

Lilly, farminton, US

This is truly a disgusting situation. As well as imposing sanctions, we should be sending British Forces to impose security on Zimbabwe during and after the elections. WE do not do enough to help this nation, Gordon realise what is going on and sort this dictator out quickly.

Richard, Cardiff, Wales

Is this yet another thing that the Brits have to be proud of? We put him in power. Maybe we should keep our grubby hands out of foreign affairs?

Marc, Paris,

This is much worse than any actions Saddam Hussein took during his reign. I guess Mugabe will escape the anger of Bush and his raiders because there is no oil in Zimbabwe.

If the free World allows this situation to develop further, then we should be ashamed.
hh, Brisbane, Australia

H. Hagan, Brisbane, Australia

Sanctions have never worked against people like Mugabe.
Where is he obtaining his arms, munitions, fuel and oil ? Very probably courtesy of Mr. M'beki, South Africa's President, who supports him. The World has failed again. Perhaps it need another Committee?

John Turnbull, Algarve, Portugal

African countries do nothing about Zimbabwe.
They have ignored the pain and suffering inflicted on millions of people by the Mugabe regime.
The Zanu PF elite control and supress the people, like the whites did in South Africa many years ago.
Africa does nothing because they are not much better.

Perry, Chengdu, China

To overcome this ridiculous situation God's people need to keep praying and good people everywhere to speak up in any way they can to stop this evil in a poor country filled with many people of good will. Speak up and pray, pray and speak up. The UN must act and the African Union must act also.

Rev Ray McKendry, DUNEDIN, New Zealand

In this situation where lawlessness is taking hold in this country, the only ethical thing for the developed world to do in my opinion is to place sanctions on Zimbabwe, because any supplies going into this country are being used to shore up the Mugabe dictatorship.

Ian Jones, Reading, UK