Peter -Canada - So Zim project's objective has been to regime change, rename the country to Rhodesia and then let the good ole days roll once again for people like you. That will be a tall order and will be fiercely resisted by Zims.

Davis, Manchester,

Ike, London, England
Zimbabwe was already experiencing acute economic problems prior to 1997. ZANU(PF) did very little to build the country economically except squander wealth created by the Smith regime. When the money ran out, the only option left to keep the comrades in check was farm invasions.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Ike, the British ceased funding land redistribution when they saw that most of the farms were going not to the landless, but to Mugabe's cronies - who promptly ruined the farms. The British have always said that funding would restart if the land went to the landless and the process was transparent.

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

The background to the crisis in Zimbabwe can be found in The Lancaster house agreement agreed to by all parties prior to independence.It stated that Britain would fund land redistribution. This agreement was adhered to till 1997 when the Blair govt reneged. As a result Mugabe seized land.

Ike, London, England

President Thabo Mbeki is a good leader. He will not act under pressure from others. Neither will he act hastily which can be more disastrous. He is a thoughtful leader and wants a peaceful solution to the Zimbabwe problem. If only Mr.Morgan T can be as far sighted as Mr.Mbeki, there would be peace.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Sorry but we have upped the Anti we will no longer just accept the resignation of Mugabe before we restore Welfare payments to Zimbabwe. We want it to resort back to its name again Rhodesia and since we are paying all the bills we will call the tunes.Lancaster House has been Squandered

Peter, Vancouver BC., Canada

Charan Muzaya, London
I am opposed to sanctions & intervention in Zim. b'cos it only brings more sufferings & deaths.
I want Zim to exercise their right as a nation & to solve their own problems.
I am against any form of interference by outsiders in Zim politics.
Am I a Mugabe's supporter?

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Colin -UK - Lim (Malaysia) has valid points that he is
putting forward and your comments about him are frankly patronising and add nothing to the discussion.Lim doubted the accuracy of the story about the 11 month baby and has been vindicated.

Davis, Manchester,

Bullying is the word that comes to mind with regards to G8 ultimatum to African countries on the question of Zimbabwe.Where are the tenents of democracy when African head of states are having their arms twisted to come up with a solution that only suits the West. What are the West's real intentions?

Davis, Manchester,

Eric de la H (above) do you agree the West caused death and destruction on heinous scale in Iraq and Afghanistan? Should anyone accept diktats and hand-outs, or play football (soccer) with such war mongers? I their is good cause to first and more readily condemn and indict USA, UK and their leaders.

Hubert Taylor, Birmingham, England

It is ridiculous to say Mugabe should be allowed to continue when rape, murder arson are the order of the day -- because Bush does this or Putin does that. What is happening in Zimbabwe is totally uncivilised and immoral and needs to be both condemned and stopped by whatever legal means.

Choo, London, England

Lim in Malysia.

For a young person, you hold such old man views. Why is it that young Chinese do not have a teen culture of their own invention? In every part of the world young folk formulate their own ideas. They do not repeat the propaganda of their elders. You seem very odd and out of step.

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

South Africa is the key, just like in 1979 with Ian Smith. First we need these UN sanctions that the G8 are now promising, then the world must focus their attention on SA to act. Fifa must threaten to move the world cup (I believe theres already a plan B in place). Mugabe your days are numbered..

Clive, Leeds, UK

I honestly think the G8 and the West should keep their aid and let Africans develop African solutions to African problems. Why should a continent rich in mineral wealth, oil and human resources keep going back to its former colonisers for help?? The billions that we need are right here with us!!!

rusununguko, Harare, Zimbabwe

Mercy Masenda. I too love Zimbabwe and whilst I agree that everything Charan Muzaya is saying may not be factually correct. Yes, Thabo Mbeki is trying to help opposition parties and Zanu pf together. However his motive is to keep his R. Mugabe in power. Track record of Unity Govts 1987 & 1978 hmm?

Thembi, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia
You keep giving comfort to Mugabe and ZANU(PF). Do you have any feelings for the people being beaten /tortured /murdered? Even though the election is over, Mugabe's supporters are still beating people up for voting the "wrong way". I'm with the majority western view.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

The west need to stop aid and investment to African Countries that surport Mugabe. Unity Government will not work as Mugabe will still be in power.

Marco Francis , mahe, seychelles

Now, don't get me wrong, I think Mugabe is kind of a monster, but does anyone else feel there is something amiss about George W. Bush calling an election a "sham" after the huge volume of unresolved voter-fraud suspicion for both of his elections?

Topher Scott, San Francisco, USA

The UN needs to stiffen up and suspend the membership of regimes who kill, torture, neglect, destroy the livelihoods of, and negate the human rights of their own people. That's Burma out, Zimbabwe out, and quite a few others who require a watching brief to deter them from following suit.

Paul Freeman, London, England

Weak Mbeki wants Mugabe to get away with his actions for he has the same plans for the whites in South Africa. The thought is that the AU wants all the white Africans off the continent as soon as possible.
Then watch out for the cries for more aid due to global warming (the West's fault) etc

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Thabo Mbeki is the Neville Chamberlain of 2008. His "quiet diplomacy" with dictator Mugabe, may not have involved a flight to Munich, but to Harare. The farce continues. Some legacy of leadership Mr. Mbeki leaves for RSA.

Edward B Ryder, greenlawn, USA

Please, please - can commentators stop infantile talk about lack of oil meaning lack of action Can't you see that it's about the people not oil that matters Harping on about oil/no oil devalue the argument and make things worse Zimbaweans have hearts & need help Please concentrate on Mugabe's demise

LT, Warminster, UK

people harping on about a lack of oil & therefore action is getting tedious since it is partially the negative public opinion generated by our iraq/afghanistan adventures that prevents us interfering - also because it would be stupid as would totally destabilse S.africa (far worse than iraq etc.)

michael, manchester,

There is no longer any discussion on the legitimacy of the Mugabe "presidency". It is illegitimate. The question is, how does Africa remove Mugabe? Will Mbeki allow the murder rape and torture to go on? Will he continue to protect a despotic tyrant and in so doing prejudice Africa? Answer yes alas

Mike, Sydney,

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.Quit yakking and get on with it. Whatever "it" is going to be, just DO it, for Pete's sake. Everyone agrees - mugabe & ZanuPF are a bunch of murdering, thieving thugs - no question - so pull finger.Do you need a woman with a large handbag to get you moving?Shift yourselves!!

Susan, Texas, USA

The G8 does nothing about George Bush's illegal invasion and the deaths of millions in Iraq,nothing about Israel and it's illegal occupation of Palestine, nothing about targeted killings or incarceration of thousands in Israel. Why the need to bribe/blackmail all of Africa because of Mugabe?

lydia, Brisbane,

Davis, Manchester,

Agree with you. I think G8 countries are the mainly same western countries except Russia & Japan). They are quite unfocused. What was their real agenda: "climate change, world economy problems, food shortages, oil, etc or was it about ZIMBABWE? Imposed solution is wrong!

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Let's stop reporting about Zimbabwe. It's just another African basket case now, no worse (and probably better than) Liberia or Algeria. We didn't have sufficient interest to force Mugabe out using the Marines or SAS. Our continued huffing only makes it entertaining for Mugabe as he gives the finger.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

Eric de la Harpe, Reading, UK

I would rather read a story book than see hollywood for proof on political matters. With all kinds of technological gadgets and great acting what could not be done to give "skew" presentations.
African brothers don't worry. Asians can play soccer with you.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

It will be sad if Africa capitulates to tribalistic propaganda, gushing from leaders in 'the West' aided by some media misinformation. 'The West' being a veil for an ethnic-European cabal. Africa is right to seek to apply economic reforms to overturn ethnic-European dominance taken by force of arms.

Hubert Taylor, Birmingham, West Midlands

It will be sad if Africa capitulates to tribalistic propaganda, from 'the West' aided by some media misinformation. 'The West' is a veil for an ethnic-European cabal. Africa is right to seek to reform ethnic-European dominance in Africa. 'The West' should first answer for its brutality in Iraq.

Hubert Taylor, Birmingham, West Midlands

RE: Alton Hadzisa. You've got to be kidding me. Even if, for argument's sake, Mr. Gordon Brown is not legitimate, your comparison is silly because:
1. He didn't use violence to get into or keep his position
2. He hasn't hung onto power for 28 yrs
3. Inflation in the UK is nowhere near 1 million %

Zimbo, Seattle, WA,

Much talk and no action, typical of diplomats far removed from actual danger, exactly as the game plan of the illegitimate government in Zimbabwe knew they could rely on. Money talks, South Africa has done nothing to alleviate this problem, boycott South African goods worldwide until they do. Frank.

F. Williams, sicamous, canada

It is quite obvious that Mr Mbeki agrees with Mr Mugabe's policies of murder,rape and the killing of anyone opposes those in power.Beware South Africa.He will do the same thing if given the opportunity in South Africa.
There are only a few good African leaders that have had the courage to speak.

David Mutende, EL PASO, USA

It's time for the western press to stop referring to Mugabe as president. That term seems to bestow some sort of legitimacy. He should be referred to as
Zimbabwean Dictator Robert Mugabe. That is what he is.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Gil,
There is another way. The west gives millions in aid to Africa. The Zim situation is making matters worse in neighboring countries increasing the need for outside aid.
Tell the aid receiving countries that their aid is dependent on their efforts to sort out Mugabe and his version of democracy

Michael Young, Nassau, Bahamas

“You see differently but for us in Africa we see differently, but I think again there is still room for us for discussions.” .... “I want to assure you that the concerns that you have expressed are indeed the concerns of many of us in the African continent.”

Well, that's clear thinking (not).

Edwin, Bucharest,

Kevin youre right, civil war looks likely, Zimbabweans do not want a government of national unity, in the last one, mugabe butchered 20,000 Matabeles. The only real solution is an international peace keeping force & fresh elections run by the UN. Otherwise start the body count from ZANU PF genocide

Eddie, Wimborne, United Kingdom

What Zimbabweans want is to have a meaningful say in the governance of their country - the whole nation has been brutalised for it and many of them have been murdered. All they asked of the AU (now the G8) was to validate their right by their censure of Mugabe. Was (is) that too much to ask?

Wilbert Mukori, Stockport, UK

African leaders have proved they are not willing to get rid of Mugabe. The only way is to put a lot of economic pressure on Mbeki and other African dictators, start an imediate arms embargo and sanctions against Zimbabwe. Cut oil supplies and you can bet Mugabe will be out within a month or two.

Gil, Funchal, Portugal

People should be careful with regards to people like Charan Muzaya, a Zimbabwean exile in UK surviving on spreading lies about our beloved motherland Zimbabwe. President Mbeki is really trying to get the opposition parties & zanu pf to work together.

Mercy Masenda, London, UK

The G8 must advise Gordon Brown to stop barking about the legitimacy of elected Mugabe and go back home and call for elections so that the British people can have a legitimate, elected Prime Minister.
He must listen to Eric Clapton's advise..''before you accuse me,take a look at yourself.''

Alton Hadzisa, London, UK

Re: Davis from Manchester

What would you propose the Zimbabweans do 'themselves' to counteract this? Short of giving them guns to start a civil war I see very few other routes out due to the control Mugabe has over the country.

Kevin, Topeka, KS, USA

I have been told that Thabo Mbeki was given a diamond mine in Zimbabwe by Mugabe. If this is true, this immediately disqualifies him from a mediator role as he has a conflict of interest in the matter.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

As a South African, I am absolutely horrified by our president's misjudgement on Zimbabwe. The crisis has deepened to the point where our national security as risk. South Africa is now home to nearly 4 million Zimbabwean immigrants, many of them illegal. The president seems not to care about us.

John Bostock, Johannesburg, South Africa

How serious is the G8? If they cared enough pressure could be used to force Mugabe out. I wonder if the G8 looked at the mutilated bodies, or saw pictures of innocent people forced to drink liquids that burned out there insides and blinded them. Oh, Zimbabwe has no oil, now I understand no action.

M. Hulton, Carol Stream, USA

While I agree that Mugabe is a dictator and a monster who has ruined his country he is only one of several in Africa. We seem to pay special attention to Zimbawe but there are many other equally nasty and illegitimate regimes. Is it beacuse he claims to be democratic when he clearly is not?

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge,

Why do the G8 members want to impose their own solutions on Zim? Why are Zimbabweans being treated as bystanders in the solution to their own problems?Imposed solutions never work.

Davis, Manchester,

Talk, Talk Talk Talk ……… when is one of these people, I cannot call them leaders because none of the lead, going to stop talking and do something? Mugabe knows they are all weak and he will do whatever he likes.

Lloyd, London,

The west loves justice, see Hollywood for proof. We are disgusted by Zanu-PF and it has nothing to do with race, colonialism or white farmers. Murder is a murder - no excuses. The west also loves soccer. Will the west want to play soccer in Africa in 2010 if Zimbabwe is not free? No.

Eric de la Harpe, Reading, UK