I wish if all Zimbabweans including the white farmers engage with th government, we don`t need fighting any more. It`s time for all Zimbabweans black & white to come together as one and live together in peace. We need the international community to encourage reconciliation not hatred any more. Peace

Rusununguko, London, UK

What is the world waiting for: We have to rescue the people of Zimbabwe NOW: NOT NEXT MONTH OR WEEK OR TOMORROW NOW TODAY RIGHT NOW or we will never be able to look them in the eye

robert peterson, Melbourne, australia

I wish I could be more optimistic about Mr. Freeth's fate. His bravery in the face of such organized state terror is amazing. I pray that he and his family are released alive and unharmed.

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Why should Mugabe worry? he knows that: no African country will step in:the UN is a useless talking shop: the US and Britain are embroiled in Iraq and Afghanistan;sanctions are meaningless! One airstrike is all that's needed.

Chris Robinson, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Where are the Mandelas and the Tutus ? If the black african nations have any gumption left, they should get rid of their present day Idi Amin in the same manner that he was god rid of, by sending in their troops so that he can be captured and tried for genocide by the Internation Courts of Justice.

R. Davar, Mumbai, India

Freeth is a very irresponsible man - reckless and foolhardy to the extreme. All my sympathy goes to his children and his other dependents. The fact that he was allowed a farm will be seen by Mugabe as as a double betrayal. It is almost impossible to imagine the suffering he stands to endure.

haralambos, joburg,

If they had arrested Mugabe in Rome his militas would have killed thousands.

bar bara, north east,

I believe the reason why the West should not get involved in it, is that AfFrican leaders will never accept it, not matter how good the plan. As for oil, well who amongst us does no use it: transport, lighting, hospitals, etc?

helen, Norwich,

Ben Freeth's articles to The Times portrayed a clear picture of how the Mugabe regime operates after dark. His vivid account of the Pungwe organised by an army major demonstrated how the military apparatus is complicit in cowardly violence against the Zimbabwean population. Mr Freeth is a brave man

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

Chuck let's forget oil - if the West had to impose western standards in Africa by military means it would need an army of well over a million men and a budget of untold billions. And what would we achieve? We'd be an occupation army open to every conceivable criticism. Look no further than Iraq.

haralambos, joburg,

Spot on Paul from Paris. Its amazing how much some of these people love Mugabe's bankrupt regime just so long as they dont actually have to live under it.

James , Leicester, UK

1m people lost their lives in Rwanda 1994. 200.000 between 2003 & 2007 in Sudan and Tchad - Both times, the UN failed to step up to the scene. If one of the countries in the security counsil, again, uses a veto to ignore this terror, I see not just a flaw in the UN but no point maintaining it. Bad..

Mikael Pallin, Stockholm, Sweden

I notice the contributor 'Kwame' is living in Northants UK, it's amazing how these people support dictators but prefer to enjoy the benefits of living in a democracy with FREE SPEECH....if you're so impressed with him I'm sure he'll welcome you with open arms....or remove them if you upset him !!!

Paul R, Paris,

For those ignorant few who say the land never belonged to the white farmers, here is a piece of information for your little minds.

After independance in the 80's, Mugabe's government wanted the white farmers to invest in the country so he sold the farms, legally to the majority of farmers.

ned, Ireland,

To say a white person is never allowed to own land is equating that no one of non british blood is allowed to own land here. Many farms were infact purchased after Independence during the days of Zimbabwe and not Rhodesia. Racism is racism and no group is immune from it.

Jack, London,

The reason so called 'World Leaders' look on and do nothing is because Zimbabwe has nothing to offer - ie no oil.

S Rishardson, Whitstable,

The rest of the world is just as guilty as Mugabe, for just sitting there and watching on as thousands of people go missing or killed by this tyront Mugabe, wheather there is oil or not We as a civalized country and otheres should send a peace force in arresting Mugabe and making him answer .

James, High Wycombe, UK

Sarah - just because the country happens to have white people living in it does it justiy the murder and torture that is happening to all people of all colours in the country? This is the 21st cen- people of all races will have to learn to live with each other. Ask boris Johnson what he thinks?

Terry, Newcastle,

Kwame how is Mugabe a hero? Mugabe uses clever rhetoric to hook in the public to believe his policies are about fighting colonialism to justify his power struggle and corruption - he recently built his wife a US$17mill house while his people starve all around him - It's NOT ABOUT RACE but MONEY!

George, Manchester,

Congratulations Brother Mugabe. You have risen to the Ranks of our Great warriors. Shaka, Toussaint Le Overture adn Dessalines. They all had African's(Misnomer Black) interests at heart. So don't be worried that you are being vilified by White supremists and their Black colaborators.

Kwame, Northants, United Kingdom

There is no excuse at all for us as a nation to just stand by and watch this terrible situation. We are quick enough to fight and invade countries when told to by the US (for oil). But when something like this happens, it's just all talk.

Steven Young, Tenby, Wales

I have heard many white people in England say that if ethnic minorities, Muslims etc do not like the way our country is run, then they should leave. Mugabe is a tyrant but I have no sympathy for these white farmers.If they don't like it, they should leave.The country and land never belonged to them.

Sarah, London,

The world ignored Saddam and turned its back on Iraq after the liberation. Serbian war criminals are still free. The US will soon be run by weak-willed and isolationist liberals. Why not use force?

John Kantor, St. Petersburg, United States

I disagree with a point made by Nic in Joburg that the 'Battle hardened' Zimbabwean troops will not be a pushover. The Zimbabwean army is 'battle hardened' in one thing only, beating up, torturing, raping and murdering civilians. When faced with a real army it will disintegrate within about 2 hours.

James, Leicester, UK

Charan Muzaya is right. 'You do not understand Mugabe'

As long as Mugabe has all he needs to satisfy himself and his henchmen, then everyone else in Zimbabwe can be disposed of. This will happen if the international community do not step in. The selfish immorality of this man knows no boundaries.

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

white farmers do not own land in Zimbabwe, simply as that.. Western goverments are using Zimbabwe to try to stop, scare other southern Africa countries from redistributing land to the rightfull owners.

kgomo Moo, Etsha 6, Botswana

Cries for British-led military intervention are all very laudable. Might I just ask where the forces are to come from?

Rickshaw, Nicosia, Cyprus

Perhaps Mr. Mandela should have skipped the birthday party and spoken out on this. For that matter what is South Africa doing? Folks, the no oil thing is getting really old, come up with somehing else.

Chuck, Gahanna, Ohio, USA

Africa is different, it isnt the west, Mugabe is happy he has what he wants and can enjoy it in his wonderful country. Its just no one else can and they do not matter, there is enough left for him and his henchmen to see there years out even if everyone else is dead, it is the african way!

James, southampton, england

The world covets Zimbabwe's mineral (platinum) resources. if the West holds back, then China can step in with funds in exchange for the minerals, as they have done elsewhere in Africa.

gmac, Kassel, Germany

To all those people who are condeming UK and USA for their lack of action can I ask this? There are currently 192 member states in the United Nations. Why should it always be UK and USA that have to sort out the world's problems?? My maths would tell me there are 190 other countries that could help!

stephen henry, Banbridge,

No OIL . . . . no interest !!!

Martin is correct . . . please get it out of the news or longer till Mugabe is alive.

D Datta, Calcutta, INDIA

This is an African problem and they need to find their own solutions , they arnt children that need the help of a colonial grandfather. i am sure mandela who as a former terrorist and zuma a suspected rapist can handle it

john , nice, france

Don't look to Africa for a solution - Africa doesn't care...the freedom fighters old boys' club won't act against Mugabe, Mbeki's "silent diplomacy" is an abject failure, the AU is mum and the PAP even more so. An armed invasion against Zim's DRC battle-hardened troops won't be a pushover, either.

Nic, Johannesburg, S-Africa

Gordon Brown is a coward. With the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth GB has a moral responsibility to intervene in this carnage to protect the lives of commonwealth citizens both black and white, all of whom are victims of Zanu terrorism. GB's lack of initiative is appalling. Bring back Thatcher!

Richard Hoblyn, Limoges, FRANCE

Yes it is a total disgrace Alexander but UK military intervention would make it worse not better. The stench from this rotting mire is appalling but sadly the only way forward is to let it all rot to dust so it smells no more.

Rob, Bracknell, England

The US and UK will not enter this battle, atleast not until other AU countries do something. Invading a former colony would simply be seen as nothing other than the return of the white man, which would play right into the hands of Mugabe and his co-accused Mbeki.

rod, Bonn, Germany

Stand up, South Africa, take a bow, can you hear the appplause? How proud the children of Mandela,? How Thabo Mbeki's children must bear the playground jibes of thier pathetic father, Take a bow South Africa, well done, well done indeed.

Mike Usiskin, London, England

Rodney Barker sums it up well.
As for the 'oil', this is not the issue, but 'crime against humanity' by their own leader IS!

Chantal, Perpignan, France

If UK army goes into Zimbawe, are we sure the African States will be on our side.......If you think so...you are naive.

Louis Blanc, Liverpool, UK

IF the Whites are so hard pressed in Zimbabwe why is it that we never see any of them with the perennial pot bellies that is so normal amongst indigenous Africans/ Zimbabwean. Who is getting the lion's share of the fat of the African land ?

Kwame, Northants, United Kingdom

It's probably not lack of oil that is coming between the West and action in Zimbabwe - it's fear of being 'colonial' and the repercussions that would result from white intervention in blackAfrica. If Mugabe had been a white, western ruler it is inconceivable that he wouldn't have been removed by now

Rosemary Pettit, London, UK

Mugabe needs a slap.

andy, madrid, apain

The amount of money Britain and the US have invested in Zimbabwe is what is driving this negative PR campaign.

Johns, London,

Government doesn't govern, it follows the kneejerk reaction of the public to win votes. So there is noway they will intervene in Z'wae following the public outcry after Irak and knowing the taxpayer would have to foot the bill. The British public would be more outraged at the effect on their pockets

Matt, Antibes, France

So, get rid of Mugabe and everything will be just fine eh? What a laugh. Have any of you happened to look at what's going on in Iraq lately?
Mugabe ousted = massive power struggle, violence and bloodshed on a colossal scale.

Tim Andover, Lisbon, Portugal

Britain and the USA can go to war on whim in Iraq, but when its staring them in the face as it is in Zimbabwe, there's NO GO?

HELP THESE PEOPLE NOW.........

Marc, CAEN, FRANCE

The world has sent a clear message to Mugabe that he is free to do whatever he wants, because no-one is going to intervene. That being so, we may as well forget about Zimbabwe until the next "election". Can we have it out of the news please?

Martin, London,

What do you expect from world leaders. If they go to Zim with troops they will op it for invading a sovereign country etc etc etc. You can't have it both ways. How many people who are disgusted by what has happened in Zim also marched AGAINST the war in Iraq?
Our leaders reflect us!!!

rohan dvaies, brisbane, australia

To Jenny.

I agree. This is sickening. We can now see the real faces of USA and UK. They are not interested in humanity, democracy, equality etc. They use these terms when it suits them to achive their aims, for example to invade Iraq and use its oil sources. But in Zimbabwe, there is no oil.

Mark, London, UK

Many of you don't understand Mugabe. If 99% of the population starve to death, he will not step down. As long as he has food, and the people who prop him up are happy, he is happy. Nothing less than hitting him will make any difference. Do you get it now? That poor farmer is probably being tortured.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

The Pathetic United Nations need to pull their finger out and take serious measures to bring Mugabe to trial for crimes against humanity.
They cannot simply sit back and allow these atrocities to go un-punished.

Stephen Holmes, Withington , UK

Why are messing about with this. This is a total disgrace and a clear case for quick military intervention led by Britain and a token African partner state. Mugabe must be removed. Free elections could then be held and African led peacekeepers could then help to maintain civil order for a few years.

Alexander Clark, Reading,

Paul, Coventry,
A head of state is immune from prosecution; that's why he wasn't arrested in Rome. Now he could be arrested, because many governments do not recognise him as a legitimate head of state.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

You can be sure the world and the AU would have done more than condemn if Mugabwe had been white. What hypocricy.

C.Wood, Camberley, UK

Someone please just tell Bush that there are either oil reserves, or an AQ terrorist cell in Zimbabwe. It seems that they're the only things that would trigger the international intervention required?

Jimmy, Edinburgh,

I cannot understand why the UN does not send in a massive show of force to police the country that has obviously become lawless. One suspects that Britain and the US will not do anything because there is no oil involved.

nick, sittingbourne, england

The West(the civilised world) should tell the whole of Africa that no more money will be forthcoming until Mugabe and his henchmen are arrested and brought to justice.

Kenneth O'Boyle, Perth, UK

This actually makes me sick to my stomach. World leaders look on in 'disgust' while none of them have the back bone to be the slightest bit proactive. When i read stories like this in the press, day after day, I lose my faith in humanity. Surely good will prevail in the end?

Jenny, London, UK

We cannot remain silent while the political violence gripping
Zimbabwe continues to claim thousands of innocent victims.
This man-made disaster will not stop unless the international
community gets involved. The people of Zimbabwe need our help right now.

J.Sohst, kamilari, Greece

Why was Mugabe not arrested and charged with crimes against humanity when he visited Rome to feast while many of his country's population starve? A resounding failure by the UN and the EU to take action.

Paul, Coventry,

Other African states do nothing - not even South Africa - Nelson Mandela s late in his condemnation, the United Nations decides to pass a resolution condemming the violence and probably genocide. In the meantime a criminal returns falsely to the presidency and the civilised world looks on.

Rodney Barker, Gainsborough, England UK