Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be considered the legitimate president, until another fair election can be held.

ZANU PF must be prosicuted for Human Rights Abuses Morgan Tsvangarai is the Legitimate President of Zimbabwe

Johann Potgieter, Welkom, South Africa

Mary, London, United Kingdom

Thank you. Yes, the truth needs to be known. You confirm my suspicion that the West has not been truly open and transparent. They apparently have been the cause for political difference/unrest not only in Zimbabwe but also in Myanmar.
I hope the world will wise up.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Boycott the World Cup in South Africa. His whole legacy is pegged to the World Cup. Mbeki must realize that his failure to act on Zimbabwe will bring shame on South Africa and will have dire financial consequences on him and his political/business cronies.

Timba, London, UK

The EU and the British govt. need to tell the truth about the situation in Zimbabwe; i.e. that they are the cause of the political urest in Zimbabwe. USA and Britain blatantly breached the Lancaster House Agreement which has led to all this unrest. The British govt just need to tell the truth.

Mary, London, United Kingdom

Please people don't say "let the Zimbabweans sort it out". In a normal democracy they could. But how can they when they are killed, beaten, tortured, raped when they do try to sort it out? There are times when the world has to act, and this is one of them.

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

Bilal Patel do you work for the South African government? This has been there spin for I don't know how many years. As long as mad Bob does what he likes the Zimbabweans are sorting out there own problems. Mbeki has supported Bob all the way. The blood of the Zimbabweans are equally on his hands.

Glen, Johannesburg,

There is a need to redefine the boundaries of national sovereignty and to specify when super-national bodies (e.g. the UN) are lawfully allowed to intervene. We need to agree on what are "permissible actions" by a sovereign government and what falls outside the boundaries of reasonable behaviour.

stephen, china, china

Rick Stein, so because other evils are happening, we should just shrug and look the other way? I guess because more people were killed by Stalinism, fighting WW2 was a waste of time, by your logic? Sometimes being a decent human being is all the motive needed - sorry if that's too complex.

Ruth, Glasgow, Scotland

Amen Bruce! Why should we help other countries, only to have them and the rest of the world, turn around and hate us for having to depend on us.

Laura, Las Cruces, NM, USA

Mugabe cannot be punished merely for being a dictator – the world is full of them and the west tolerates many. Mugabe, however, is a murderous tyrant, preaching democracy while slaughtering political opponents. We need international mechanisms to bring and hold such monsters to account.

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge,

Rick Stern - more detail please! What's the UK/USA's financial motive? Political, yes, but financial?

Tim, London,

Are these 'silent' African countries the same ones that Gordon Brown decided were worth spending other peoples money to ingratiate himself to? Taking from everyone to give to the thugs seems pretty dumb to me.

Richard, Huntingdon, Cambs

I don't see how any coalition government could function while Mugabe is still in power.

In any case, the only thing that the African nations should press for at this stage is the cancellation of the election. Mugabe should not be given a chance to legitimize his rule.

Steve Albert, Montreal,

I believe this is one time that bumbling Brown should hold a referendum. If he asked if we should step in like we did in Iraq, I think the answer would be a resounding YES!!!
But I forgot, he's given all our money away!!!

J.S., Cheltenham, UK

And who would we replace Mugabe with if we were to intervene? Presumably a colonial puppet administration, which, in time-honoured African tradition, would soon repeat the crimes of their predecessors. Except that this time they could do so with the implicit blessing of the international community

johnny, london,

The European Union decried the development as “a travesty of democracy........who are they to talk.
We all vote in the EU till it comes back yes.
Or maybe they will just bully and beat Ireland

J, Santiago, Chile

Mr Mugabe says it will be up to God to remove him.
If there was a God He would have done so already.

Trevor Trotman, Wolverhampton, UK

Flogging a dead horse? Is there a horse left at all. Zimbabwe is face down in the dirt and breathing the shallow breaths of a dying animal. But it is the way of the world, Politics is a filthy game and the filthiest competitor is sitting at the top of the food chain in Zimbabwe!

Lucille - Displaced Zimbabwean, London,

get Simon Mann and Marc Thatcher over

john, nice, france

Send out Lord Carrington , and leave him there until he solves the problem he caused.

Robin Kempster, Brighouse, England

No oil, No help, No hope! Just about sums it up, doesn't it?

Put the UN up and the wall and shoot the lot of them, should be ashamed of themselves.

Graham, Littlehampton,

It's very clear from the appalling atrocities of the past few weeks that even if Tsivangirai won handsomely, the "criminal cabal" wouldn't halt their violent undermining of any regime other than ZANU-PF. Tsivangirai is, sadly, right in his decision.

Richard Flynn, Huntingdon, UK

It's very clear from the appalling atrocities of the past few weeks that even if Tsivangirai won handsomely, the "criminal cabal" wouldn't halt their violent undermining of any regime other than ZANU-PF. Tsivangirai is, sadly, right in his decision.

Richard Flynn, Huntingdon, UK

The South African Trades Unions could take matters into their own hands by stopping all lorry transport into Zimbabwe. The Trades Unions could also cut the electricity supplies to the regime. By-pass the South African government by taking direct action. The politicians have proved useless enough.

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

Stay out of it - They wanted Independence and voted him into power so this isn't our problem

John, Salford, England

As a young boy I watched my country, New Zealand torn apart in protest over racial segregation in South Africa when the white South African rugby team visited in 1981. How can Thabo Mbeki have any credibility now, the guy is no better than an African dictator. Hang your head in shame!

Malcolm, Auckland, New Zealand

Why all the stupid remarks that Zim does not have any oil therefore will not get any 'help' from the West. I was not aware that Afghanistan has any oil.

C.Wood, Camberley, UK

"It's best for everyone to let Zimbabweans sort this out themselves" says Bilal Patel, London, UK

Indeed, but they can do it without my money supporting Mugabe and his cronies living the high life whilst the ordinary people starve. Stop all aid, and let Mugabe sort out his own mess.

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

Why is it OK for our troops to be in Afghanistan and Iraq fighting a war nobody in the UK wants, but not in Zim?

What is the criteria for military intervention in Zim? We have evidence far greater than that presented to us regarding Saddam yet the world still sits on it's hands!

Jonathan Main, Kuwait City,

The developed world now knows the dilemma of Black Africans. It is our leader who let us down. Election in Africa under yoke of dictatorship can never be free and fair. A pursuit for democracy is deter and state has now be give licence to the security to kill its citizens.

Abdoukarim Sanneh, Manchester, UK

Bilal Patel - do you have a clue? "Tsvangirai has gone out of his way to cause trouble" By daring to question Mugabe's rape of Zimbabwe? By daring to dream of a better future for his country? Zimbabweans have been crying out for change for years and many have died as a result. Your attitude is sick.

William Johnson, London, England

I have a cousin who has died in this pre-election. A bit ambivalent that a cancelled election does not recognise his sacrifice. I do not want others to be feeling what I am feeling. We should energise for the future and if the ballot cant defeat the bullet our choices are limited,we must fight.

mangwiro, kikcaldy, uk

People should care - Zimbabwe was once one of the richest countries in Africa, and did not have apartheid. As it was once a British colony I think we all owe it some form of responsibility

The problem is that most people are apathetic to anything that doesn't involve celebs, Petrol or mobile phones

James, London,

Again Rick. In 1976 Kissinger forced Smith to have a majority rule vote in Zim after which all sanctions would be lifted . This was achived in 1979, 64% of the population voted. Your Jimmy Carter and Andrew Young renaged on the Kissinger deal and forced a further election. USA has a case to answer.

Graham, Maidenhead, UK

"Only God who appointed me will remove me, not the MDC, not the British."..sounds like a pretty good reason to be an atheist then.

Tom, UK, UK

Likewise, Lord Carrington has a case to answer. The 1979 Lancaster House agreement was not fully complied with. Reports of violent intimidation were being fed back to Britain. Parties perpertrating violence were to be excluded from the 1980 election. Are listening my Lord? I hear no apology.

Graham, Maidenhead, UK

If only they had oil, then perhaps the unfortunate folks over there would receive some backing from the West.

Matt Rhucroft, Middlesbrough, Britain

Those who are concerned need to put pressure on South Africa, in the form of sanctions, not Zimbabwe. Mr Mugabe will remain in power for as long as he has the support of President Mbeki.
I went on protest marches against the old racist white South Africa government and supported boycotts. President Mbeki’s support for Mr Mugabe is nothing more than racist. If Mr Mugabe was a white thug he would be the first to condemn him.
People can express their disgust, by supporting a new boycott against the new racist South African government. Don’t buy South African goods.

Anselm Eldergill, London, England

Im shocked that Tsvangirai dropped out of the running of elections. the Red-Cross and any other human supports have been banned for helping, it's illegal to take clothes to help MDC supporters that are living in poverty. I just hope Mugabe somehow looses and then i can go back home one-day soon.

Colette, Hertfordshire, UK

Whats with the anti-US remarks? Why does the US have to do anything about this? Isnt this a British imperial debacle like usual?

Marko, Palm Harbor, USA

Once again it has to be pointed out that the likes of the US along with the UK are called upon to help because it was their "help" which put mugabe in in the first place. Should have minded your own business then when it wasn't asked for.Those that caused it should now fix their mess.

Susan, Texas, USA

Dr N Hasan if you wre not 'concerned' you wouldn't have contributed to this piece.

timzola, luton, uk

The people of zimbabwe are now being forced by the Govt to vote a standoff between MDC and Zanu PF regardless of whether MS wants to bow out... this means the people MUST UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES vote MDC.... only with legitimate proof of a voting victory can anyone go in there with force.

jaime, London, England

Perhaps those, so politically correct persons who brought Mugabe to power, would give us the benefit of their 'wisdom' now? Unfortunately Zim is landlocked, with no oil to pay for a new 'colonial army'. In any case the only powers who could inervene now are aleady busy elsewhere' so Mugabe wins!

Graham W, Congleton, UK

Is it because Zimbabwe does not have oil or no nuclear weapons or anything for them to gain that they won't interfere that western nations won't interfere? I guess so. UK should particularly be ashamed for neglecting a former colony.

Bola Owoade, London, UK

Next step? - watch the militia storm the Dutch embassy to kill Tsvangari while the African nations look on.

CA, Manchester, UK

Morgan, Brussels
If I were Tsvangirai I would not seek refuge in a south african embassy. Mbeki is a Good friend of Mugabe (or didnt you know?)

Chaibva, Zimbabwe

Chaibva, menniapolis, USA

The African Union is not meeting until next week. I wonder what, if anything, constitutes a crisis in that part of the world.

David Masu, Zürich,

It is sad and unfortunate that violence and bloodshed have become a dictator's tools, to clasp at power with no regard for human life at all. This conflict could tear Zimbabwe apart.
H. Bains, London, England

H. Bains, London, England

Where is Mandela in all this? Why does he appear to have gone to ground?

Paul Savage, Lambourn, UK

no disrespect 2 peeps but these coments of africans creating their own mess is absolutetley racial and unpresidented. If the americans had not invaded africa in the 1950's then this monster would not had been created. yall came into that nation with guns, corruptness and aids, YO FAULT NOW FIX IT

neo, aylesbury, united kingdom

Simple solutions - pressure Mbeki of South Africa to cease support for Mugabe by cutting off some "symbolic" govt-to-govt ties or risk further actions. Use the indirect method to kick the old man out of office

Gooi Yong Chieh, Penang, Malaysia

Oh massa lordy lord..Him black fella in opposition party soon be leaving the country..then all will be will wid my lovely country.
NO..I'm not being racist but this is exactly what Mugabe is saying and thinking. Why the African nations can't kick the thug out I've no idea.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Is it a coincidence or is it that Morgan Tsvangirai feels safer in an European embassy instead of, say, the one of South Africa ?

Morgan, Brussels,

It is depressing to hear how politically naivy some African people are. Of course some like Mbeki are downright dishonest. Rather in a perverse way Mugabe is the only person who says and acts his words. '' I will never allow the MDC to rule Zimbabwe.'' This is clear enough is it not.

Mazisi Msiza, Leeds, England

First world Governments be ashamed - turning a blind eye to the atrocities in Zimbabwe - diplomacy has achieved nothing - millitary intervention is surely necessary to remove a morally bankrupt Government that is corrupt to it's core. We must stand up for african human rights now. Help them!

Andrew, London, UK

There is a world cup being held in 2012 in SA if ever there was a lever needed to put pressure on SA to sort out the Zimbabwe situation this is it

Ian, Cambridge,

It would take very little force to remove this maniac and restore calm to the country and allow the Zimbabwe population to govern themselves and have a safe and decent life.

It would be a feather in Gordon Brown's cap.

Simon, Urbino, Italy

Ian Smith warned you all about this,but you laughed at him.
You never set a foot in Africa but you wanted whites out of S.Africa.
Now you have Mandela,a convicted terrorist,being feted in the capital of our former Empire.
You might as well have invited Mugabe, they're both pedlars of racism v us

james allen, manchester, england

Either African states help Zimbabwe or the UN can do it for them. If I were the Zimbabweans, I wouldn't bank on anyone coming to help. Far too much paper-work...

While I don't entirely agree with Bruce's brash observation, the price of freedom is costly in human capital and it must be their capital

James Cullup, Oxford,

Why is everyone so 'concerned' about Zimbawe. There are many other African and other nations with equally horrible political and economic situations. Does anyone in the average UK street really care about this issue?

Dr N Hasan, Cheltenham, UK

Zimbabwe - one man, one vote, once. You don't dare vote against Mugabe - thats Treason. Nice mate's that Mbeki has.
Zim just shows how pathetic Nu Lab foreign policy has become. The AU is a toothless talking shop too.

ethan, nr dole farm, uk

As a committed Christian. it heartens me to hear Robert Mugabe say that only God can remove him. All the world's Christians should now unite to pray that God will do just that. He mistakenly says that God appointed him. All those who believe in the power of prayer should now start to pray him out.

Brian , Chorley, UK

US & UK concern for Zimbabwe = a joke.
Democracy is irrelevant to them, see Saudi
Iraq & Afgan not about democracy - about bombing infrastructure & charging billions to rebuild while installing puppet govts so future financial interests are secured.
Zim no $ so Mugga's is safe & he knows it!

RG, London,

"African leaders to resolve crisis"? Believe me, African leaders are incapable of resolving anything, except their bank accounts. Especially where it concerns their comrade Mugabe. More likely, they'll get together for chicken and beer and to do the old freedom fighter rumba.

Emiel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

To James Wareham, Bath, UK, tragically, SA has become a 'rogue democracy', voting against every UN resolution aimed at condemning Zim, Burma, North Korea, rape as a weapon in warfare... You name it, if the West proposes, SA opposes, in an attitude of sheer bloody-mindedness that beggars belief.

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

It appears the views of the Zimbabwean electorate do not count in these elections because according to Malloch-Brown"Mugabe faces new sanctions unless he bows to international demands for political change? A view supported by Milliband who has advocated for regime change?Zims are now asking why?

Davis, Manchester,

The United Kingdom becoming physically embroiled in Zimbabwe would only enhance Mugabe’s status. We should increase pressure on African leaders to recognize their responsibilities and press President Mbekie to consider how his pusillanimous vacillation will appear to future African generations.

Michael Hanson, Solihull, UK

There isn't a cat in hell's chance of us doing anything to stop him -- he doesn't have any oil or anything else that we need.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, UK

What, no comment from Lim or Iteshi? Come on guys, don't be shy ... you're the experts - one in the UK, the other in the Far East - you know precisely what's going in Zim.

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

Mugabe has been totally defeated, the violence is his admission of defeat. His ideology has failed. Now the free world should refuse to recognise him as leader. No more UN conferences in his silk suit, scoffing the goodies. No more platforms for this bankrupt tyrant to rail against the free world.

Paul Freeman, London, England

After Iraq and Afghanistan, people in the West will not tolerate armed intervention. The UN's mandate is not to promote electoral democracy, but to prevent inter-state aggression (e.g. in Congo). Instead, the West should financially and covertly support a credible opposition.

Stefan Mochnacki, Toronto, Canada

People that compare the Zim election with Gordon Brown's appointment as PM are grossly offensive, not to mention ignorant of our democratic process. In the UK general election we vote (free from intimidation) for which political party we want in power, not for an individual to be head of state.

Faye, Hove,

It's not Mugabe. It's the entire regime. He has become the puppet of his aggressive cabinet. We have to take them all out before there will be real change. MDC have to be allowed to contest and win an election that is free and fair. That means a massive international presence in Zim. Pigs can't fly!

Steve, Wes Mids, UK

Prince Edwin, I'm surprised at your narrow-mindedness. The political instability (and the econimc instability - cause and result) will result in instability in the entire Africa. Those with a bit of foresight will be trying their utmost to help right this.

Angel, London,

When a decent country takes action against genocidal maniacal dictators to help its citizens other nations condemn the action. The people of the countries taking action protest and vote against their own govmts. The people of the country being rescued turns against its rescuers. Hence the problem.

Paul McGreevy, Poole, UK

This is not African problem, its Zimbabweans problems. Yes, but why should the neighbours be blamed for Mugabe's problems? Zimbabwe is already costing Botswana a lot of money deporting illegal immigrants every day and this has been going on for more than 10 years. Let them sort their own problems.

Prince Edwin, Montreal, Canada

we have a non-democratically elected leader who will not give the populace the democratic right for a referendum on Europe.

Louis Blanc, Liverpool, UK

This may be so Louis but we don't (yet) burn people alive for voting the "wrong" way

Rob Bain, Derby,

The 2 people that could do something are Mbeki and Mandela. Both should openly come out and demand his abdication and the restoration of democracy in Zimbabwe. I am amazed that Mandela has kept so silent.

roger Kingston, york,

A "government of national unity" is double-speak for Mugabe and his henchmen in government, with a few token MDC people in some minor positions of power, to be ignored, bullied, or disposed of at the whim of the ruling Elite. It means the façade of national unity, nothing more. Get real.

Dr Robin Laundon, London, UK

The problem could be quickly resolved by the same means employed to remove Reinhard Heydrich from Prague.

David Cohen, Stepney,

Mbeki's suggestion that Tsvangirai should go to Mugabe to resolve the matter is both sarcastic, disingenous and offensive. The next insult will occur when Mugabe is allowed to attend yet another summit of world leaders, shaking hands with other world leaders.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Keith.

Mugabe a Catholic? He is not. Like every dictator I have ever read about, he simply abuses the name of God to justify his henious actions. The Bible and many other holy books scream against his actions and should any of their claims be true, Mugabe will be be called to account.

david Slatter, Cambridge, UK

Classic spineless EU - on one hand condemnation whilst the other welcomes the Mugabe entourage to swan around the palaces and malls of Europe's cities.

Rob, Bracknell, England

It's a pity in a way that the Zimbabwean people are, in the main, such a gentle lot. Many other countries would have revolted by now.

Of course such an uprising would hardly be bloodless, but its hardly bloodless now.

Andrew, Cambridge,

After all that is suppose to happen happens, next stop for asylum seekeres is the UK . yepee!

ini umoh , northolth , uk

remove mugabe and we won't just be saving lives in zimbabwe, but it will put down a marker for other african despots. to shy away from preventing genocide for fear of being charged with colonialism is disgracedul. while madela is daming mugabe, he should damn mbeki as well.

jem, london, uk

at least he is having an election
in saudi they don,t even bother with these minute unimportant things such as elections or peoples right.yet saudis are britain is best friend with them?
hummmm.i wonder why

richard, london,

Maybe if there was a plentiful supply of Oil the yanks would be keen to sort this tyrant out, just like they did with Saddam Hussein, who, incidently ran Iraq in a more peaceful manner!

Phil Burton, Walsall,

By far the greatest damage has been done to the reputation of the United Nations and to the "political classes" refusing to recognise this is genocide. I see this as a full circle return to the same sort of crisis that broke the back of the ruling elite in Europe at the end of the Eighteeth Century.

Chris Coles, Medstead, Alton, United Kingdom

Who talks about 'compassionate nations'? Europeans are now out of Africa, as wanted. Those who yearned for an 'Africa without whites'.. here it is for you. The brave new world of african self-rule.

If the neighbouring african countries took the initiative I am sure more than 1 country would help.

Rui, Lisbon, Portugal

Instead of the West solving Africa's problems let them solve their own.We are always their first port of call and when we help they deride us later as interfering colonialists. Africans have no respect for life or democracy so leave them be.It is the only way they will ever learn.

Bill, Johannesburg, South Africa

Before most of the so called Western countries throw stones at Zimbabwe, they should take an inward look at themselves and how they rule. In the UK we have a non-democratically elected leader who will not give the populace the democratic right for a referendum on Europe.

Louis Blanc, Liverpool, UK

The European Union decried the development as “a travesty of democracy”

Meanwhile, the EU will not accept the result of the Irish referendum.

Enough said!

Viv, London, England

I notice the UK government has put forward Miliband as the spokesperson and not Brown. Could it be that it would seem very hollow if one un-elected leader was to complain about another.

george sign , Nice, France

I can't believe that awesome country – so bright and hopeful under Mandela – is now joining with the world's biggest human rights abusers to allow such evil to happen. Mbeki has gone beyond turning a blind eye to murder – he is now an accomplice and should be tried with Mugabe.

James Wareham, Bath, UK

Just another Catholic power freak.
Strangely silent is the leader of that religous system
which didnt offer an opinion when Hitler was
creating his genocide 65 years ago.
God put me there Mugabe says.What do you think?

Keith, Brisbane, Australia

It is up to African countries to sort out the problem

Mike, Gravesend, England

To the spineless who constantly say, "We mustn't use force; we must remain civilized," I say, "Shame on you!"
There are times when we use fire to fight fire.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES!
Mugabe must go, by whatever means!
First Darfur, now Zimbabwe!
Why do we always wait until it's too late?

Nick, London, UK

It is obvious that intervention in Zimbabwe is critical. It has been obvious for at least eight years yet the naive governments of the west EVEN NOW believe it can be negotiated. You cannot and should not negotiate with a terrorist and Robert Mugabe is at best a terrorist.

Paul Davey, London, Zimbabwean exile

When is Nelson Mandela going to stand up in public and make it clear that he abhores the regime of Robert Mugabe. He is supposed to be on the side of freedom yet he stands by and lets this happen when a word in the ear of the coward Mbeki would make all the difference. He makes a mockery of Freedom

M.Hesketh, Mirfield,

This is an unanswerable case for intervention, one which would also buttress the UN's moral legitimacy, and send a message to these genocidal dictators from having a free hand against so many innocents.

David, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why should anyone outside of Africa get involved? They inherited a perfectly good country with a healthy economy. They created this mess, let them fix it. Its a cultural thing and why should Britain and America lose people fighting the mess that Africa created. Let the African nations deal with it

Paul, Bucks, England

Bruce, Oceanside, USA "I don't remember your country supporting the USA ever." ....... SHAME ON YOU

Joe, Kiev, Ukraine

This is not any fault of the UN,USA or UK as many writers
state.
This is a disgrace to all African countries.
They all refuse to accept outside influence in their continent and basically protect each others backs, preferring genocide , famine and civil war to any 'colonialist intervention'

john rigby, kenilworth, warwickshire

At least Mugabe pretends to ask the people Gordon take note.

Ken.Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

When are the World leaders going to stop their talking, sanctions and finger waving and take action against this regime. These cowards will run a mile if action was taken against them

michael, Sydney, Australia

I for one do care (Rick!) - my brother-in-law is from there, and grew up in the 1980 civil war which claimed the lives of many of his family. You ask about motive - isn't saving human lives enough? Obviously not for all the 'compassionate countries' that are always on about 'human rights' (no oil)

John Laudon, Tai Po, Hong Kong

I don't thik Mugabe would be allowed to stand down even if he wanted. His military supporters have too much to lose!

Stuart, Singapore,

We can enforce democracy (or try to) by military might in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo etc etc ... how can the civilised world stand by & let this happen in Zimbabwe whilst welcoming the tyrant Mugabe to UN meetings in Rome ?

R Rogers, Bedford, UK

Having spent some time in Zimbabwe and seeing the people's suffering and desire for change, here are my thoughts... one bullet.

Graeme, Vancouver,

Just as the West once feted Mugabe, they are doing the same to Tsvangiri. I think Tsvangiri has gone out of his way to cause trouble, usually through the western media, and this latest action is typical of his duplicitous nature.

It's best for everyone to let Zimbabweans sort this out themselves

Bilal Patel, London, UK

Calm down Bruce, the military might of the USA has not been called upon. Uncle SAM can keep his gun in its holster. The opposition leader you chastise has faced the death penalty, severe beating and constant harassment. People are paying the price for freedom everyday in Zim.

Philani, cape town, South Africa

If the United Nations is incapable of addressing the Zimbabwe crisis, it can only be seen as a 'failed organisation'. As consequence, taxpayers around the world should demand that their governments no longer continue to provide it with funds.

Ian Bruce, Hamilton , New Zealand

Just goes to show, when there is no oil up for grabs the rest of the world is prepaired to stand aside and watch a monster of a leader do as he pleases with peoples lives. All those World Leaders and the UN etc should hang their heads in shame.

Kenneth McAulay, Letham, Scotland

Just goes to show, when there is no oil up for grabs the rest of the world is prepaired to stand aside and watch a monster of a leader do as he pleases with peoples lives. All those World Leaders and the UN etc should hang their heads in shame.

Kenneth McAulay, Letham, Scotland

What is this fascination with the Zambabwean election? Who cares!. There are abuses happening all over the world, I could name quite a few Countries. It may just be that the United States and Britain do have a financial stake in making sure that Robert Mugabe is dethroned. Spell out the motive!

Rick Stern, Florida, USA

I don't remember your country supporting the USA ever. We in the USA are all tired of trying to help everyone else and paying with our sons lives. Fix your own problems. The fact that the opposition leader just quit in the face of death means you have yet to realize the true price of freedom.

Bruce, Oceanside, USA

Just down right out disgusting ! Mugabe should be arresting and tried and convicted of war crimes. He is a tyrant. Shame on all able countries of the world for not stepping in and doing something to help the poor innocent people of this country and other countries like it. But there's no oil !

Gary, Richmond Hill,

If ever there was a legitimate case for assassination, then surely Mugabe is a prime candidate. To allow one man to systematically decimate a country and its population is nothing short of abhorrent. The United Nations needs to take immediate action, and military intervention needs to be sanctioned.

Dax, Dorchester, Dorset

Of course, lily-livered South Africa backs away from any kind of commitment on the continent, backed by Russia and Chine who could not possibly back any progress toward democracy based on their own miserable performance.

Bill Atkins, Rehoboth Beach, USA