Zimbabwe do not have oil. So usa do not care. African countries has to take leadership role and develop african force equivalent to NATO force and step in and remove mugabe.

Ask Thebo Mbeki what he next plan for what is happening in Zimbabwe is?

It is shocking and frustrating to imagine that the African countries are quiet as our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe suffer under the dictatorship of Mugabe. This old man is walking tall in the streets of Harare, boasting how he will not step down even if he lost the elections and this is why I commend the decision by the opposition to withdraw from the re-run because the outcome is already known.

Wake up Africa, safe our continent from more bloodshed, desperate Zimbabweans are looking up to you to do something that can save their country. SADC, AU, Do something please! The time for watching as people suffer is gone and we all must do something to make Mugabe realize that Zimbabwe belongs to the people. Bravo to our Prime Minister for speaking out, all African leaders should follow suit. Mugabe must be thrown out of Zimbabwe by all means, whether kidnap him, shoot him or someother way but he must come out.

It is my considered opinion that the real cause of the so-called violence in Zimbabwe needs to be analyzed. The problem is about land distribution - simple. Moreover, the MDC are being seen as the party for the whites land owners who are bent on getting back the power and ultimately the land. Just look at South Africa, the recent violence in South Africa against immigrants showed that the South Africans are not benefiting from the apartheid-free Independence. Unemployment still very high and the whites are enjoying the land, while most blacks are still suffering from hunger and homelessness. The poverty, inflation and unemployment in Zimbabwe are being seen as an artificial occurrence promoted and caused by the support of U.K and the US in order to force Mugabe out of power. As long as MDC is being seen as a stooge of the imperialist, I do not think Mugabe will give up power. What is needed in Zimbabwe is dialogue and not violence. However, it is so sad that most Africans do not look in-depth into the cause of their country's problems and seek for ultimate solutions. I believe Mugabe was turned into a tyrant (look this man has no choice you freeze his account, stop exports from his country, vets everything coming from Zimbabwe etc)His enemies must also realize that Mugabe, ANC et al fought against imperialism all their lives and the new generations need to understand that. They understand what the white imperialists are looking for in Africa. (Look Nelson Mandela's name is still on the terrorists list in the USA)All these propaganda against Mugabe must stop!! afterall the MDC won the parliament. I find it weird to concede that the election will not be free and fair. It is like trying to destroy the country through propaganda. You need strong dialogue in Zimbabwe and the opposition should be prepared to do just that.

It is my considered opinion that the real cause of the so-called violence in Zimbabwe needs to be analyzed. The problem is about land distribution - simple. Moreover, the MDC are being seen as the party for the whites land owners who are bent on getting back the power and ultimately the land. Just look at South Africa, the recent violence in South Africa against immigrants showed that the South Africans are not benefiting from the apartheid-free Independence. Unemployment still very high and the whites are enjoying the land, while most blacks are still suffering from hunger and homelessness. The poverty, inflation and unemployment in Zimbabwe are being seen as an artificial occurrence promoted and caused by the support of U.K and the US in order to force Mugabe out of power. As long as MDC is being seen as a stooge of the imperialist, I do not think Mugabe will give up power. What is needed in Zimbabwe is dialogue and not violence. However, it is so sad that most Africans do not look in-depth into the cause of their country's problems and seek for ultimate solutions. I believe Mugabe was turned into a tyrant (look this man has no choice you freeze his account, stop exports from his country, vets everything coming from Zimbabwe etc)His enemies must also realize that Mugabe, ANC et al fought against imperialism all their lives and the new generations need to understand that. They understand what the white imperialist are looking for in Africa. (Look Nelson Mandela's name is still on the terrorists list in the USA)All these propaganda against Mugabe must stop!! afterall the MDC won the parliament. I find it weird to concede that the election will not be free and fair. It is like trying to destroy the country through propaganda. You need strong dialogue in Zimbabwe and the opposition should be prepared to do just that.

It is my considered opinion that the real cause of the so-called violence in Zimbabwe needs to analyzed. The problem is about land distribution - simple. Moreover, the MDC are being seen as the party for the whites land owners who are bent on getting back the power and ultimately the land. Just look at South Africa, the recent violence in South Africa against immigrants showed that the South Africans are not benefiting from the apartheid-free Independence. Unemployment still very high and the whites are enjoying the land, while most blacks are still suffering from hunger and homelessness. The poverty, inflation and unemployment in Zimbabwe is being seen as an artificial occurrence promoted and caused by the support of U.K and the US in order to force Mugabe out of power. As long as MDC is being seen as a stooge of the imperialist, I do not think Mugabe will give up power. What is needed in Zimbabwe is dialogue and not violence. All these propaganda against Mugabe must stop!! afterall the MDC won the parliament. I find it weird to concede that the election will not be free and fair. It is like trying to destroy the country through propaganda. You need strong dialogue in Zimbabwe and the opposition should be prepared to do just that.

Kind of makes me think that the Second Amendment may not have been such a bad idea after all.

All what people must do is to kill Mugabe at any cost. Blow him from the skys, blow his children and wife because he has killed our children as well. If the world and those with power cannot do it, then some will be suicidal and kill hundreds as long as one of them is tyrant Mugabe, Chihuri, Shiri, Chiwenga, Chinamasa, their wives and their children. Why NOT, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

YOU ARE RIGHT, ALL THIS RHETORIC ABOUT MUGABE BEING THIS AND THAT IS NOT HELPING ZIMBABWE..THE MAN MUST JUST BE KILLED PERIOD....WHATEVER MEANS...WHO CARES. ZIMBABWEANS....ITS WAR TIME PESE PAMURI, MWANA WE ZANU INYOKA...URAYA CHETE KUSVIKA NYIKA YASUNUNGUKA. HATIDYE SOVEREINITY OR WHATEVER THAT MEANS TOP THESE DEAD ZANUISTS

Your suggestions Robert Cooke are ok but that will not happen. UN cannot get involved in a manner that will make mugabe understand. They will only get involved when the despot has been captured and is taken to the Hague

The situation needs Zimbabweans. They must mastermind plans to get rid of him. Thre is nothing wrong in killing tyrants of mugabe's nature. Perhaps the Americans can only help send their well trained snipers. Yes there will be casualties, but that is the price to pay. I agree with others who say mugabe is not the person to understand any language...like Pharoah in the bible, he can only understand his death and zimbabwe will be free

There is NO OTHER lunguage the old tyrant understands. Talk in any language, his zezuru, kalanga, ndebele that zvakwana mugabe weee....he does not listen. So the best is to do what the other guy did to Kabila. Hey guys, it does not matter how much you shout...get him where it hurts most, vana vake, vakadzi vake, hama dzake dzepedo....ma sheff ake. Take the ball to him. He understands the bullet chete. Munhuwo ane nyama inovora....so we are planning....even if it means we die in the process of eliminating him...for our children we have to do it........pump a bullet in his head and Zimbabwe will be free again

All what people must do is to kill Mugabe at any cost. Blow him from the skys, blow his children and wife because he has killed our children as well. If the world and those with power cannot do it, then some will be suicidal and kill hundreds as long as one of them is tyrant Mugabe, Chihuri, Shiri, Chiwenga, Chinamasa, their wives and their children. Why NOT, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

YOU ARE RIGHT, ALL THIS RHETORIC ABOUT MUGABE BEING THIS AND THAT IS NOT HELPING ZIMBABWE..THE MAN MUST JUST BE KILLED PERIOD....WHATEVER MEANS...WHO CARES. ZIMBABWEANS....ITS WAR TIME PESE PAMURI, MWANA WE ZANU INYOKA...URAYA CHETE KUSVIKA NYIKA YASUNUNGUKA. HATIDYE SOVEREINITY OR WHATEVER THAT MEANS TOP THESE DEAD ZANUISTS

Enoughh is enough. I want the world to know it today that I have made a decision......and it does not matter when I will accomplish this, how I will do it but I have to do it. I have always thought it mad to do it but looks like no body will do it for my country.

Whereever people like me, with my thoughts and courage are lets do it to free Zimbabwe
1) We need to set up bopmbs in all planes that Mugabe dares board and blow them up. 9

The problem with western countries is that they use double measures for countries they have political or economical interest. So they have lost their credibility a long time ago. While people in Africa were happy to see the coup d'etat era partially replaced with elections, most of the elections in the past fifteen years have been a joke. Donors have spend millions of dollars for elections that almost all the candidates were unfit to govern because they embezzeled money, were involved in drug and arm trafficking, killing adversaries, denying the basic necessities for their people while they are stacking the people's money in western banks. And once they come to power, they held a referendum to change the constiution so that they can be in power for the rest of their life. I don't think Mugabe's case is different from others. That is why the organization of African Unity (AU)is quiet and AU can't take drastic measures against Mugabe without taking the same measures against other countries. The people of Africa are doomed under these dictators for a long time to come as long as the western countries react differently.

the terror has not only been confined to the rural areas. I live in a high density in Harare and the past week has been hell for real. Each time there is a ZANU PF meeting the whole neigborhood is terrories and force narced to the rallies. There they are forced to chant slogans which are constantly changing, there is probably a new slogan each day. No ecxuse is accepted for failure to attend, they simply come to your house and tell you to join them.
We now have an unofficial curfew as we try to be indoors before dark as there are often all night pungwes or marches throught the surburbs. If you are so unfortunate as to be caught up in one of them then you will not go home until the early hours of the next morning.
Shops and all business have not operated since last week, any time they can be ordered to close shop and go to the never ending rallies. Vegetable stalls have also become sorry sites with all vendors barred from operating until they have been proved to be loyal ZANU PF supporters. if found to be otherwise then they will never operate from these stalls again.
we are forced to purchase vegetables from supermarkets in town but the prices are dear.
On Friday afternoon the bus i was travelling in on my way home was stopped by a group of rowdy youths in the ruling party's T-shirts and other regalia. Everyone was ordered out and forced to join the crowd outside marching towards another rally.
It's hell I'll say it again.
The shops are empty and hunger is ruling in the area.
A number of people had been brainwashed into believing that their cast votes would be checked against the serial numbers on the ballot papers. As a result such people were reluctant to go and cast their vote or had resigned that they would vote for Mugabe.
But will we see a better day in this country...

wat must be done to mugabe

a snippeer rifle and 1 bullet

There is only one country that could force Mugabe to bend over: South Africa.

Alas, Tabo Mbeki has shown time and again, that, when it comes to crucial matters like AIDS, immigration and Mugabe, he has this syndrome of avoidance to do the right thing at all cost, even if his life depended on it.

THERE IS AN OLD SAYING HE WHO LIBERATES YOU IMPRISONS YOU.WAS THE LIBERATION FROM SMITH AND COMPANY WORTH.AFTER MUGABE IS GONE MBEKI AND THE ANC SHOULD BE DECLARED PERSONNA NON GRATA THEIR SILENCE AMOUNTS TO CONSENT.

Peaceful means yes, however, Mr. Mugabe will only respond to a shiny bit of steel between his ears... capice !!

I agree that we must not just sit by and allow this to happen. But, we also must develop ways of responding that are non-violent, and promotes long term peace.

Britain and the USA should be ashamed of themselves as they made sure that this idiot got into power in the first place ( one party marxist state ) and don't give a toss whats going on in the once " Breadbasket of Africa ".... WHY.... NO OIL !!!!

How about inviting the Brits to make Zimbabwe a colony again for,say, ten years and let the natives try again for democratic self-government.

I'm sure that perhaps a majority of the ordinary citizens would agree to that.

Shut up you puppet! Mugabe is our Leader, our Heros until he leaves office. Just keep dreaming...

In reality, not a single african nation is crdedible enough to rebuke or rather can critisize this monstrous, greedy, 84 year old senile leader because like him (Mugabe)- they too are of the same breed: dictators, corrupt, power hungry bunch of bollocks, unwilling to share power... That's why it's obvious that until now, not a single african leader has risen to the occasion. At the end of the day, it's America and UK that does the spanking... thus, giving Mugabe the opportunity to put the blame on the west- then accussing his political opponents as puppets of the west. History will tell us that political faillings of many rutless leaders in many african and middle eastern countries , America and Uk are at the receiving end: The blame game. Believe you me, these African leaders..., if their grip of power will soon be challenged by a so-called democratic endeavors which is obviously promulgated by the western world, they too will emulate Mugabe's monstrosity... The UN should take a stand less the Americans and UK so Mugabe cannot find an excuse-accussing the west of intervention... Lastly, let those African Nations with less evil to cast a stone against Mugabe and do what is right for Zimbabweans..

Bravo Mr. Wachai

Finally somebody who put things in the right perspective

Terrible as this sounds, The World Food program needs to divert all aid ear-marked for Zimbabwe to other as deserving people and let Mugabe go it alone with his veterans. To feed the loyalists only at the expense of the other's in the country is part of the problem and not the solution. Collapse has to come from within from those who see Mugabe has done nothing to deliver his country, his people into prosperity.

As a white American beset by the decisions of our present leaders is looking forward to (some/any) CHANGE.

Quite a good article put the author has falled short of calling for a regime change in Zimbabwe.

It is quite evident, that Mugabe may end up killing the young promising guy who is the Sec Gen of MDC. For how long will African countries remain silent in the wake of criminal activities being waged on her people.

What is happening in Zimbabwe, Darfur and even Somalia should be enough to make African leaders bow their heads in Shame.

Edwin , Nairobi Kenya

Woodrow Wilson was right: When given a position of power, a man will either grow, or he will swell.

Mugabe could have been one of the most revered leaders of a new Africa, instead of a despised and failed symbol of crime and corruption. He should have taken a page from George Washington.

Mugabe's "swelling" destroys everything that he had once fought for, a tragic decline into what has become nothing more than pure meglomania. For that he must have taken a page from Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.

Bad choice.

Woodrow Wilson was right: When given a position of power, a man will either grow, or he will swell.

Mugabe could have been one of the most revered leaders of a new Africa, instead of a despised and failed symbol of crime and corruption. He should have taken a page from George Washington.

Mugabe's "swelling" destroys everything that he had once fought for, a tragic decline into what has become nothing more than pure meglomania. For that he must have taken a page from Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.

Bad choice.

It is refreshing to finally read an article that truly calls out the situation in Zimbabwe and Africa for what it really is. The problem here is that you have a Dictator, who will stop at nothing to keep power, and now he is spilling this demagogy about the opposition taking over allowing the white man to colonize again. Are you kidding me?????? What’s even more pathetic is the fact that some Zimbabweans actually believe this nonsense, and some of those citizens are young kids, that are part of his militant gangs, who are the ones terrorizing the country. Most of them are not even old enough to know anything about the struggles of the former British colony. Look at that country now, it looks to me like they are actually reliving the days of the Chimurenga war. The only difference now is that the people are being destroyed by one of their own. Honestly, these are the kicks of a dying horse.

Mbeki is useless, and that’s why he is failing to rule his own country. Give South Africa a few more years, that’s another Zimbabwe waiting to explode. The UN, EU, SA, SADC, and who ever else can step in need to stop talking and start acting, by going into Zimbabwe before the 27th, and monitoring those elections. Not only that, force has to be used against Mugabe and his goons, and they need to have their day of reckoning in international court. That’s the only way that change can happen in this country. All those sanctions, if any, against Mugabe and his regime are not effective in anyway because, they will find a way to get around all of them. Zimbabweans also have to realize that you can not give one person such power; they will use it against you. The constitution will have to be re-written because as it is, it’s like a pamphlet in Mugabe’s back pocket.

What Africa needs is a complete overturn of all the “Old Heads” that are running these countries, and bring in the young and fresh minds that can facilitate the upward growth of the continent of Africa. This can only take place from within. The other thing, only if the US & Britain, have something to benefit from a particular country, will they step in, and this is the case for Zimbabwe. The US has no economic interest in this godforsaken country, so why would they bother intervening. Now if it’s Kenya, or Egypt, yes they will do something because there are some interests there. Heck, the US didn’t even do anything really about Apartheid in SA, so you think they will help lil’ ol’ Zimbabwe. Forget it. This needs to happen from the inside of the continent, but it needs new mindsets, those that are not biased by past experiences and relationships. I admire the gumption of the new President of Botswana, and Kenya’s Odinga, but there needs to be more like them. Mwanawasa seemed to be on the forefront of things, but now he has gone silent. So if these key players are not voicing any concerns how do you expect the international world to be involved? Africa has to get away from this selfish mindset it possesses.

I have sadly watched Zimbabwe under Mugabe turn into a nation of no hope. I have been to the country several time over the last 10 years and personally seen the slow dystruction of its people and its wildlife. The other nations of Africa are all show and no go just look at Somolia and Congo for example. IF THE WEST DOES NOT REMOVE HIM BY FORCE IF NECESSARY, Then Zimbabwe will be lost for ever. Maybe Jimmy Carter should give back his peace prize, after all he help put Mugabi in power!!!

I have sadly watched Zimbabwe under Mugabe turn into a nation of no hope. I have been to the country several time over the last 10 years and personally seen the slow dystruction of its people and its wildlife. The other nations of Africa are all show and no go just look at Somolia and Congo for example. IF THE WEST DOES NOT REMOVE HIM BY FORCE IF NECESSARY, Then Zimbabwe will be lost for ever. Maybe Jimmy Carter should give back his peace prize, after all he help put Mugabi in power!!!

It rediculous to suggest that the problems in Zimbabwe should become the problems of the international community. How many times does the world have to intervene in Africa?

When the world does intervene in Africa the natives either shoot at them like in Somalia or the Africans themselves hurl accusations of colonialism.

Africa is a bottomless and hopeless pit of human suffering, war, disease and poverty. It is not worth the blood, treasure or even the attention of the international community.

Mugabe doesn't care as long as Congo is pumping diamonds (cash) in Zimbabwe. Africans need to understand that UN was not created for them. They need to fight for their freedom. Thabo Mbeki is the worst Africa can offer to the world. People from Zimbabwe should learn by looking at what is going on in Congo-Kinshasa. Mbeki was there and he left the country in the hands on an elementary school drop out with no education, principles or vision. If you like what you see in Congo, then trust Mbeki to help you. If not, fight and remove this dictator.

Robert Mugger's neighbors support him in his barbarism. Shame on them. All who support him should be expunged from the community of nations. South Africa's Thubbo Mbeki has given "quiet support" in the murder of thousands of Zimbabweans. Shame on him. Barbarians.

Zimbabwe will not budge. It is going to remain an African state.

The Mau Mau uprising was crashed by the blooded british and this Kenyan thinks Zimbabweans are ready to let go their hard won country. We defeated whites, can you show a record of Kenyan victory.
An average Zimbabwean is not living in accommodation close to a slam. What about in Kenya. Does Odinga know any route that leads to Zimbabwe than that his sister was a girlfriend to Tekere. Any informed Zimbabwean wil tell you about Tekere.

Be African and stop imagining yourself as an American just because you earn American dollars. they cannot buy real Zimbabweans into submissions, neither will any bomb do. Ask the late Ian Smith.

I rest my case.

The continuing problem with the “government” of Zimbabwe is that it follows the same process of all socialist single party states (Baathist Iraq, Baathist Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, Cuba, Belorussia) in that having acquired political power over many others, they come to the conclusion that their elite is the permanent owner of that power and something they can pass on to the children of the elite. Mugabe does not even represent the Shona tribes, let alone Ntebele tribes. He is an elitist chieftain of the Zesuru who has carried out systematic democide and genocide against peoples within Zimbabwe for the protection and wealth acquisition of his Zesuru tribesmen.

The Rome Statute has defined many forms of genocide (extermination for ethnic reasons), democide (extermination by a government for political reasons) and apdicide (killing for sociopathic reasons) as Crimes against Humanity. If the proofs of Crimes against Humanity exist for the Zesuru and their elitist tribal rulers, why is the government of Zimbabwe considered legitimate by other people at all? Shouldn’t the absence of Crimes against Humanity in any of its forms be one of the principal tests of political legitimacy, rather than Domestic Jurisdiction possession of power making the elite a legitimate structure? The UN definition of Domestic Jurisdiction does not automatically confer state sovereignty on the Zesuru simply because they occupy northern Zimbabwe by force. The use of democide further erodes Zesuru Domestic Jurisdiction legitimacy and creates a condition in which national sovereignty no longer exists. This has been true of Kosovo, Iraq and Myanmar as well.

The dominant tribe of the Zesuru has at this point failed virtually all tests for Domestic Jurisdiction and the Harari enclave should no longer be considered a legitimate sovereign state. The adjacent countries of South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique have already suffered greatly because of the expulsion of other tribes from Zimbabwe and can legitimately invoke Article 56 of the UN Charter. If Mugabe does not have the authority of Domestic Jurisdiction and has committed Crimes against Humanity, he cannot be considered the head of a sovereign state and any means used to send him to an international detention facility like Guantanamo is a legitimate expression of Article 56.

Dear Editor,
I am a white Zimbabwean now living in Tanzania but reading every scrap about my country. What is happening now is nothing new. Zanu fought their war by making the country ungovernable. To do this they preyed on the remote villagers, often killing anyone connected to government, however remotely. Rather than engage the Rhodesian troops they would hold allnight pungwes as they are now, and selct innocents for public execution. The slogan for their first election was vote for us or we go back to the bush and kill you. Same as now. Contrary to common belief the vast majority of people killed in the bush war were killed by Mugabes troops deliberatly and at close range. Nothing has changed except for many other African countries are now democracies. Zim never ever was.

How does Mugabe perceive reality?

To some, Mugabe is a demented man, and that derangement has progressed into a major psychological sickness, an uncontrollable hatred of all things British. The root-cause of these sentiments are deeply personal (injury caused to Mugabe as a person) and also national (injury incurred upon his country) by the British.

To Mugabe, the opposition is an installation of the British in Zimbabwe's political scene. To that extent, that opposition is enemy of post-colonial Zimbabwe and must be resisted by all means necessary, including force. Hence, the 'ship of shame'....MORE: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard/Article/Mugabe-s-war-with-UK-is-decades-old/108243

A voice out of Africa who does not shun from the world "politically correct" style of "anything goes" for African leaders (read tyrants). Saddam Hussein killed 148 opposition members and for that his country was invaded and he was hanged.

Since Mugabe's reign he committed genocide against tens of thousands of Matabele. He laughs at critics and vows that bullets are more effective than crosses on a ballot paper.

He was echoed in South Africa by an ANC youth leader who said that individuals and groups in opposition to Jacob Zuma shall be killed. He refused to withdraw that hate speach. The SA President quietly allowed him to carry on, as did Nelson Mandela when he was president when Peter Mokaba repeatedly on television called for whites to be killed, which resulted since then in more than 50 000 attacks on white farmers and white city dwellers with more than 10 000 killed. It still is not politically correct for the world to condemn the ANC for allowing and possibly organising that.

Congratulations, Mr Wachai, you are a voice from the desert.

A voice out of Africa who does not shun from the world "politically correct" style of "anything goes" for African leaders (read tyrants). Saddam Hussein killed 148 opposition members and for that his country was invaded and he was hanged.

Since Mugabe's reign he committed genocide against tens of thousands of Matabele. He laughs at critics and vows that bullets are more effective than crosses on a ballot paper.

He was echoed in South Africa by and ANC youth leader who said that individuals and groups in opposition to Jacob Zuma shall be killed. He refused to withdraw that hate speach. The SA President qietly allowed him to carry on, as did Nelson Mandela when he was president when Peter Mokaba repeatedly on television called for whites to be killed, which resulted since then in more than 50 000 attacks on white farmers and white city dwellers with more than 10 000 killed. It still is not politically corect for the world to condemn the ANC for allowing and possibly organising that.

Congratulations, Mr Wachai, you are a voice from the desert.

Mr. Lloyd Butler:
Is that really your name? You sure sound like a shill for the rotten Embassy of Zimbabwe. While it may be true that each country has its own set of problems, some much worse than others, and Kenya is not without blame. But what we do here is discuss and debate. So, of course, we will tackle one subject after another. Here, we have freedom of speech unlike some other places like Zimbabwe where people are regularly beaten up for simple pleasures of a functioning democracy, albeit imperfect. (Perfecting it is up to us, the citizens.)

Your assault on Raila Odinga shows your lack of fairness, justice and ethics. From what I saw of the Kenyan "election" much of the fault went to Kibaki who like so many others in Africa could not relinquish power. Stick with the facts, Mr. Butler, not one-sided "facts."

Your facile illogical conclusions that losing 200, 000 people as in the Bosnian war is a comcomitant of UN intervention if it happened in Zimbabwe just shows how much you need to take Logic 101 before you get involved in these discussions. You need to learn how to reason; that is unless as I wondered above: are you a shill who is wilely and dishonest, indulging in sophistry to mislead?

You are right in mentioning the crimes of Britain in Kenya (I don't think that they killed in the name of civilization though. That is too oxymoronic.)and that neither the US or GB have totally representative democracies. Fault can be found just about everywhere but much attention must be given to the poor and long suffering people of Zimbabwe.

It is painful to think of how much suffering has been inflicted on these poor people over the last years by Mugabe and his goons. This is the topic du jour and rightly so. The people of Zimbabwe have suffered way too long...They need help.

Wachai:

You need to read more.

There is the The Responsibility to Protect, a report researched and written by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty for the United Nations. This R2P overturns the up until now unchallenged notion of sovereignty. Of course, endorsing and adopting it is another thing and that is the core problem of the UN. It needs the General Assembly's majority approval. What to do with the reprobate nations at the UN who are in league with bad regimes like Mugabe's?

Beyond hoping that Mugabe may soon die. Why haven't African nations taken action with boycotts and embargoes? Too much cronyism and not enough moralleadership in Africa, that is why?

What has the West done? I don't know. Have they frozen assets and restricted travel? I guess the only way to make things happen is to work through NGOs trying to change Zimbabwe?

What is Africa Action doing??

my post seems too cautious. I agree with Njoroge Wachai and Raila Odinga.

some signs of hope in the attitude of some southern Africa countries. they seem to be ratcheting up the pressure. they should be considering asking the West to help them intervene if things get bad enough. that's a mean bunch running Zimbabwe, right up there with Burma leading the way in not caring about their own people.

Here is the sad thing. Whenever the U.S. takes a stand on such issues as this, we are portrayed as arrogant bullies imposing our will on other nations. Were we to intervene, we might be called racist or worse, even if we genuinely simply wanted to promote democracy and the will of another country's people. And while most of the rest of the world would condemn the U.S. and suggest instead multilateralism of some sort, which would not be bad if it truly happened, they instead just sit around and refuse to intervene, either because they are too afraid, or because it is too inconvenient or costly. We are no longer a world of nations with morals and backbone, but rather a world of nations of expediency and self-interest and cynicism. In the very least, coordinated sanctions would be helpful, but I doubt the world of nations will even be able to muster an effort such as that. I'd love to be proved wrong and see the nations rise up against this inexcusable tyranny and oppression. Oh, how I would love to be wrong.

I don't believe the media reports of the violence. If Morgan Tsvangirai is the best Zimbabwe have to oppose Mugabe, the people of Zimbabwe are better off with Mugabe. This guy, Tsvangirai, is not a leader. If he wins, it is by default. Clearly, there have got to be someone in Zimbabwe better than both of these men.

Why have the U.N., the U.S., or the E.U. do what the African Union won't do for its own? With freedom comes responsibility. You can not turn to your former colonial masters and expect them to solve your problems for you. The West will not get involved unless there is a direct threat to their own interests. Yes, Mugabe has fallen from a freedom fighter to a tyrant. It seems that Africans will repress each other when no one else is around to repress them.

For whatever reason, the world looks with a blind eye to murderous dictatorships. When the Taliban took over Afghanistan and invited al Qaeda along for their joy ride, the world hardly cared. When Saddam Hussein was gassing his own people, launching wars, and presiding over one of the largest police states in the world... yawn. Well, America tried to addres the situation in Iraq, only to meet the derision of the world. Why would anyone want to help Zimbabwe, given the world outcry when dictators are forcibly removed.

Gee, it sounds like you're calling for military action in support of democracy and human rights. That's not a popular stance since the Iraq debacle. I say it "sounds" like because you were deliberately vague; what exactly do you expect the U.S. to do that it hasn't already done or is doing? Direct miliary action by the U.S., even if we had the troops to spare (Heckuva job Bushie!) is impractical; they would be staunchly opposed by the neighboring states and greeted with deep suspicion even in Zimbabwe.

Your message would be better delivered to South Africa. If South Africa were determined to see Mugabe gone there would be no need for troops. Zimbabwe is now so dependent upon its southern neighbor that South Africa could quite literally turn off the lights if it were of a mind to. Make no mistake, this farce continues only because the SADC countries are willing to tolerate tyranny as long as the tyrants are homegrown.

What can American individuals do to help Zimbabweans? I have never taken the opportunity to visit Zimbabwe, but I would like to. The difficult part of supplanting a leader is doing it diplomatically, especially when the leader is unwilling to cede power. I know Mugabe fought for Zimbabwe some time ago, but he's in power for himself, not for the people. The world puts up with people like Mugabe because no one wants to take action. No country wants to do the right thing unless compensation is involved. The sense of what is right and the need to do what is right has severely deteriorated, especially in the United States. I'm ashamed of our government, but I don't understand why Zimbabwe doesn't stand up as a nation and take Mugabe out. It's not diplomatic, but it fixes the glich

How many dems support Mugabe, keep in mind obama can never become another mugabe without setting off a civil war, America won't stand for it, better dead than enslaved...

To Realist:

Is the mid-east issue a semitic against semitic problem? If so, why do we continue to stick our nose in there?

Mr. Njoroge Wachai, distinguish gentleman, your article “Lip Service For Mugabe - World leaders’ apathy toward Zimbabwe’s crisis is disgusting” is interesting.

As a Kenyan with the luxury and time to pry and meddle in the affairs of a foreign government, Zimbabwe, I assume business at home is prospering. Therefore would you on behalf of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga provide the Washington Post’s readership with the following facts:

1) Did Raila Odinga political party or Kenyan government provide for the 2,500 plus post-election deaths, that were a result of his propagating that the presidential elections were unfair, granted any compensation?
2) Did the victims receive a decent no cost burial?
3) Are the post-election 450,000 homeless Kenyans being compensated for having their properties burned and looted as a result Raila Odinga’s accusing his government of unfair elections? Are they still living in tents?
4) Has it been proven in a court of law that the elections were unfair?

Secretary Rice and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila A. Odinga spoke to the press before their meeting at the State Department June 18, 2008.

Why was the first two and only staged questions asked by the Press: “What would you like President Mbeki to say to Mugabe when they meet later today?” And, “Minister Odinga, would you like to comment on Zimbabwe?”

What happened to Kenya’s concerns? An to excerpt one answer given by Prime Minister Odinga was: “So my view is that the time has come for the international community to act on Zimbabwe, the way that it did in Bosnia.”

My view, or Kenya’s view?
What official capacity is he in here in America? Kenya’s or the U.S. backed MDC-T’s opposition?

Mr. Wachai, “U.S. officials marking the 10th anniversary of the end of the war said the death toll in Bosnia ranged between 200,000 and 300,000, a range that has been widely cited by government officials and media accounts for a decade.”

This is what the Foreign Minister of Kenya wants for the people of Zimbabwe? This is Kenya’s foreign policy on peacemaking?

You speak of stopping the name calling of Zimbabwe’s duly elected President Robert Mugabe as a waist of time. Yet you called him a “hypocrite”, a “discredited dictator” and referred to his government as “an outpost of tyranny” and a “criminal Zimbabwe leadership.”

Sir, what disgusts you so much? You’re a well informed Kenya-based People Daily journalist. Why the emotional response to Zimbabwe when the conditions in Kenya are on par?

You speak of Zimbabwe’s election run-off as fraud. The United States does not have a one-person one-vote electoral system to elect their President, the Electoral College does. Britain is a medieval constitutional monarchy and rules by Royal Prerogative; not a one-person one-vote system to elect their hereditary head of state.

This mob rule of one-person one-vote for electing a head of state in Britain and America is unknown? Why are African countries subjected to media spinmiester influenced one-person one-vote mob rule elections systems to elect a head of state?

As a historical reminder Mr. Wachai when “the Kenyans rebelled against ruthless land seizures by the settlers and their adamant refusal to share power in any way, the British retaliated—in the name of civilization—by detaining, torturing, and executing huge numbers of Africans. They imprisoned in concentration camps nearly the entire Kikuyu population, whom the British contended were not freedom fighters but savages of the lowest order. This colonial war may have slipped the mind of the editor of the Cambridge History because the British government did everything in its power to cover up the genocide it attempted there, including burning its colonial archives relating to Kenya on the eve of leaving the country in 1963.” ( excerpt from Chalmers Johnson’s Nemesis - The Last Days of the American Republic)

I recommend a new Kenyan foreign policy objective, find out where the “colonial archives” are instead of meddling in the affairs of a foreign government in violation of Kenyan diplomatic protocol.

Lloyd Whitefield Butler, Jr.

Mbeki has learned the cost of his silence with regard to the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The recent violence against refugees in South Africa calls attention to the cost of doing nothing. With 1/4th of its population now in exhile in surrounding countries, this is becoming an issue that will affect the entire world. The U.N. shouldn't just feed and house these unfortunate victims of Mugabe's cruelty and selfishness. With numerous international resolutions being violated by Mugabe, it is time for the international community to act. If it is clear that the upcoming elections were stolen, the international community should actively work for the overthrow, arrest and trial of Robert Mugabe on international war crimes. This would not only solve the problem in Zimbabwe, it would be a demonstration for other potential dictators of what is in store for them if they overthrow their national constitutions and thus become dictators. It would be money well spent.

Me thinks the west would react differently if Zimbabwe were a country that had significant oil reserves. But then, maybe not as the past coddling of dictators while they did our business is proof against this. Could it be that Zimbabwe is a predominantly black African nation? I am a white man, but more than that, I am a DEMOCRATIC man and all that stands for. Mugabi should be put to death to rid his country of his imposed misery. And all that don't call for this; Bush, Brown, Rice are appeasers of the worst sort. Sort of like those that appeased Hitler. Gee, I should be saying this at the Knesset.

Realistically, the World will only act if there is something they deem worth saving. At this point there is NO indication that any efforts would be rewarded with anything. Why bother, until Africa shows a glimmer of indication that it is ready to change its status quo?

The Zimbabwe situation is careening out of control and the world is watching its slow death.

Africans (the People) are in double whammy predicament. Dictators and Presidents-for-live thugs, like Mugabe, are NOT in place to criticize him and the people are oppressed to voice their opinions!

The South African president, Mbeki, who is heads the regional power, refused to standup to this murderer because Mugabe supported ANC during apartheid! Mbeki was even an honest broker between Mugabe and the opposition. The rest of South African nations are not in better position to challenge this senile.

The Zimbabwe situation is careening out of control and the world is watching its slow death.

Africans (the People) are in double whammy predicament. Dictators and Presidents-for-live thugs, like Mugabe, are NOT in place to criticize him and the people are oppressed to voice their opinions!

The South African president, Mbeki, who is heads the regional power, refused to standup to this murderer because Mugabe supported ANC during apartheid! Mbeki was even an honest broker between Mugabe and the opposition. The rest of South African nations are not in better position to challenge this senile.

The Zimbabwe situation is careening out of control and the world is watching it its slow death.

Africans (the People) are in double whammy predicament. Dictators and Presidents-for-live thugs, like Mugabe, are in place to criticize him and the people are oppressed to voice their opinions!

The South African president, Mbeki, who is heads the regional power, refused to standup to this murderer because Mugabe supported ANC during apartheid! Mbeki was even an honest broker between Mugabe and the opposition. The rest of South African nations are not in better position to challenge this senile.

I agree with the writer. However South Africa Mbeki (what a dissapointment after Mandela) is key and he refuses to act or even threaten, so Mugabe just gets worse and kills more.

Realist wrote: "About 10 years ago a US politician in DC made the stupid joke that black slaves shipped into the US were the lucky ones. He was 100% correct."

----No, not the slaves shipped from Africa - but their descendants here seem to fare better (though it has taken too long) than Africans in Africa.

But look, too, at Europe: who stayed? who left, voluntarily or not? How has that diaspora shaped Europe?

This is strictly a black against black issue somewhere in Africa. Totally irrelevant especially since the blacks didn't solve it themselves there these past 25 years. About 10 years ago a US politician in DC made the stupid joke that black slaves shipped into the US were the lucky ones. He was 100% correct.

Shredding UN articles is a dangerous precedant - look at how the United States has suffered by its decision that extreme circumstances justify abandonment of cherished beliefs.

It is mystifying, that African leaders seem so consistently unable to transcend the post-colonial hazard of demagoguery and brutality. The movement from racialized colonial rule to supposed democratic government had devolved into tribal slaughter in almost every African "nation."

How much longer can these despots blame the west for their own viciousness? When the west intervenes, we get clobbered - when we stand aside, we get clobbered: if Africans want to rule Africa, what is our responsibility and what is theirs?

I really don't mean this as a joke or to denigrate any one person or segment of people, but WaPo should know enough to use the flash when taking portraits. All I see is a silhouette. I expect professional photography for an organization of this calibre. Secondly, no US president is going to play Superman again after the whooping Bush is taking over Iraq. So if Zimbabwe is looking for a saviour, the US is unavailable. But I hear that Jesus is an ever-present in times of trouble.

If I were Zimbabwean, I would try democratic means first, and if fair elections were not an option, I would be supporting insurgency from camps in adjacent countries. This is a problem for Africa to solve. South Africa has the means and interest to solve this problem.

Without active support from neighboring states, any Western army would simply be viewed as a colonial occupation force and become a focus of resistance. No military objective that could be attained would be worth the cost for America or Europe.

I agree. Great article.

Mugabe is an animal, and the world community--especially the African nations--needs to step up, immediately, and end this charade. The only thing worse than Mugabe's inhuman tactics is the deafening silence of the rest of the world's leaders.....

I detest that Robert Mugabe.

I feel very, very , very sad for the people of Zimbabwe.

Although - of course - that Robert Mugabe and his Hitler-like moustache eventually will go down in the rubbish been of history, it is always the same thing : innocent people "need" to go through that kind of oreal before seeing the light.

I do agree with Wachai : it is absolutely disgusting that nothing serious is beeing done to oust the dictator.

Where is Nelson Mandela ?

How easy it is to heap blame on the world. Where are the African nations and their "leaders"? Where is Thabo Mbeki and South Africa? Look inward, Africa.

Here's a perfect example of being careful what you wish for.. you just might get it. Remember when the place was called Rhodesia and everyone was saying how terrible it was there, and how we had to help the people by getting rid the government and so the world put sanctions on against the country.. Well the world got it's wish.. And this is what we ended up with... Congratulations!!! Yup never underestimate the ability of bleeding hearts to make a bad situation.. worse!!! I just hope we won't be saying the same thing about South Africa in a few years..

"World leaders’ apathy toward Zimbabwe’s crisis is disgusting" is a true enough statement. But look at Darfur, Rwanda, Mobutu Sese Seko and Africa's "world war" centered around the Democratic Republic of Congo and one can only conclude the rich, white folks in the west will never have any interest in getting promoting democracy in Africa because it clashes with our desire to continue exploting Africa's natural resources. In fact, it's even more pathetic that the US supports a 40+-year-old dictatorship in Equatorial Guinea (many consider it to be the worst dictatorship on the continent) and that the US has forgiven mass-murdering terrorist Moammar Gaddafi, whom some believe sponsored much of the terror in Liberia and Sierra Leone. If Africans ever expect to have democracy, they'd better do it themselves and not expect any help from the west.

If there's no way to stop Mugabe and it's becoming clear that he's now mostly a puppet to the military, at the least the world should blockade all military supplies to that country (including each and every bullet used to kill the population of Zimbabwe).

The author of this post is mostly right about what needs to be done to and for Zimbabwe but the fact of the matter is that nobody seems to care. This man who began his rule with so much hope is now single-handedly the one that has dashed the hopes of the people of Zimbabwe. It is a pity!
I'm sorry to say this, but it will take a lot and I mean a lot for the so called democartic nations to help in this matter. Africa's own countries need to rise to the ocassion but with this thought in mind, I remember Sudan and think that there is little hope...

Good article, but dangerous policy suggestion. There is really no means for addressing "failing" states. Unless Mugabe threatens a neighboring state, the UN can only at best pick up the pieces after complete anarchy sets in. Zimbabwe is simply a failing state with a failed leader. The suggestion that Kenya send in its troops seems a little unrealistic. Without strong support from South Africa, there is simply no way to address Mugabe's terror other than to double up the border guards and deal with the illegal immigrants. It is a shame and tragedy to see the transition from bread-basket to basket-case, but there is unfortunately nothing unique about Zimbabwe's tragedy and the only certainty is the inevitable outcome...a lot more people dieing.

Putting the lack of action down to the lack of oil is rather silly and absurdly simplistic.

Fact is, there are places you would intervene in before Zimbabwe (Darfur springs to mind) if you were going solely on governmental abuses.

Furthermore, Zimbabwe simply isn't as strategically placed or relevant as Iraq and internal Iraqi oil supplies are only one factor in the relative strategic importance of Iraq. Iraq is in the Middle East, a place of major strategic importance to the US (and indeed the West as a whole due partly to Middle East oil as a whole, partly due to fighting terrorism, etc.).
On the other hand, Zimbabwe is a land-locked country tucked away at the bottom of Africa in an area that really isn't strategically relevant. Iraq also has a population 2.5x the size of Zimbabwe's (which is rapidly declining).

Furthermore, Iraq under Saddam was an international threat. It fought a long and bloody war with Iran, it invaded Kuwait, it fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and Israel, etc. Zimbabwe has fought in regional conflicts, but it hasn't had such an impact on its neighbours in such a globally significant area.

Also, how would you invade Zimbabwe? It's a land-locked country without any neighbours supportive of an invasion. Invading Iraq only worked because its neighbours let their territory be used as staging points, and because the Persian Gulf allowed nearby naval access. You can't para-drop a whole army to a country hundreds of miles inland as Zimbabwe is.

Put simply, Zimbabwe simply isn't as important or accessible as Iraq, saying it's all down to the country having oil is ridiculously simplistic.

GOT OIL?
If the US only went into Iraq for the oil and only cares about oil, then why are our gas prices at $4.00 per gallon or more? If we were taking the oil from Iraq, our gas pricies would be at least a dollar lower. Leave your emotions at the door and look at the facts for once. Screaming oil, oil, oil, does not make it because of oil just because you want it to. Grow up and pay attention. I would say one of the reasons the US does nothing is because everytime we try to step in and help, Liberal anti-war wacko's immediately say it is none of our business and we shouldn't be meddleing in other coutry's affairs. You cry that the US is being some sort of world police, then whine when they are not being world police. The UN should be disbanded and ignored. Start a new group of Democratic countries. Include Africa, but not the countries that are mired in corruption. Well, thinking again, that should rule most of Africa out.

Selective regime change in action. Or, inaction.

If there was indeed a time for a war of liberation, then this is it.

How much oil is beneath Zimbabwe's soil? Is Zimbabwe one of the AFRICOM countries? The answers to these two questions will determine how much international intervention will be provided, especially from the US.

African leaders who take seriously their responsibilities to their people should be first among many to denounce Mugabe and his "Joint Operations Command" for so callously placing their own continuance in power ahead of the interests of their people. At 84, Mugabe is likely so deeply in bed with the self-interested generals and "war veterans" that he couldn't disown them and step down in the face of election loss even if he wanted to. His only choice is to ride the monster he created, which has sadly developed its own agenda such that he would quickly become expendable if he decided to try to turn it in a new direction. Even if by long chance Morgan Tsvangirai were able to take office he'd immediately face the challenge of taking control of these thugs, whose only power and legitimacy seems to grow, as Mao said, out of the barrel of gun.

Robert Mugabe is Idi Amin, incarnate.

Mugabe was a Marxist guerrilla, supported by the Soviet Union, who was able to take power through force of arms and acquiesence from saps in the West like Jimmy Carter.

How many times do you need to see the exact same scene play out? What other possible outcome did you expect?

Mugabe won't bow to the globalists. THAT'S his crime.

Psy-ops.

Before you blame the International Community, please spend some time discussing your friends in South Africa. President Thabo Mbeki, has been such a warm and loving supporter of Mugabe. Zuma would be right up there with him, except for all the corruption charges he's busy with.
Maybe when you say "International Community" you're referring to fellow African states.

So many Zimbabweans are suffering and dying. I'm thinking they might as well suffer and die for something worthwhile - which is their right not to be governed by the likes of Robert Mugabe and his bunch of psychos, their right to live in a democracy and have something to eat. It must be truly terrifying but more people in Zimbabwe have got to say "Get rid of him"! And as for the rest of Africa, give them your whole-hearted support. It doesn't have to be this way, but people have to make a stand.

An excellent article. No rheotrics, just plain facts. It is indeed a shame that whole world of 21st century can just stand and watch a power greedy person hold his own country hostage using military and food as weapon.
It is not just isolated case, but it is widespread whether is somalia or darfur or Zimbabwe.

It is obvious that we have not learnt lessons from past and everytime, there is need for us to standup and take some concrete actions, our leaders and people across the globe just prefer to look other way and ignore it or even worse adopt a soft glove approach such as name calling.

What a pity and shame. How can we claim to be living in 21st century ?

Njoroge, your article is very insightful. If only other Africans (leaders) and fight for Zimbabwe. I'm Zimbabwean and I have family and friends suffering back home. I even have a cousin who was killed a few weeks ago because he was an oppositions supporter.

Whilst I agree that the international community needs to intervene, I think it's the African leaders who first have to openly denounce Mugabe. There won't be any progress if we only have a few African critics whilst the rest (Mbeki) are actively supporting Mugabe. And no, it's not about the oil (how many times has Nigeria been in political turmoil but has anyone invaded or done anything actively, NO!) Charity begins at home Africa!

God help!

Where is Bush and his famous fight on terrorism now?? OH that's RIGHT! NO OIL in Zimbabwe!!! We overthrew one of these type of dictators, why stop there? NO OIL! The bare-assed truth is NOBODY cares about the African continent, that, & there is NO OIL!

You won't see much from the U.S. because there isn't any OIL in Zimbabwe. Too bad - because somebody needs to spank Robert Mugabe and his gangster cronies.

I am not surprised in the least at the international response, or lack thereof, to the ongoing tragedy that is Zimbabwe. Europe and the US have little to gain, either in resources or potential markets, from helping Zimbabwe. However the election goes Zimbabwe will likely end up in violent conflict with an inevitable flood of refugees. Therefore, it is up to neighboring countries and the AU to step in immediately; it has to be done and no one else is going to do it.

There's nothing we can do about Mugabe. The world does not accept invasion, no matter what horrors are being visited on a population by a controlling regime. See Darfur, Burma, North Korea.

Just get used to it. Local populations won't rise up because they'll just get slaughtered, and nobody will go in because it freaks everyone out.

Just get used to it. In fact, it's best to not think about Zimbabwe, just like we don't think about Darfur. It's so unpleasant, and it doesn't matter anyway.

Of course, we could ask the UN to invade.

Ha! Just kidding. Can anyone see China accepting the proposition that it is the responsibility of a government to respect some sort of ... how shall we say ... "human rights"?

On a serious note, it's time to pay attention to a proposal I've heard floating around -- scrap the UN and create a League of Democratic Nations. (I've heard McCain talk about this, and although I'm not a Republican, I think it has its merits.)

Anyway, have a nice day. Mmmm, this Starbucks tastes good. Zimbab-what?

Africa has consistently objected to any interference by the western world. In fact Mugabe has used the argument against western involvement to gain and maintain power.

You wanted a bicycle, now you must ride it.

Why should the rest of the world get involved against the will of Africans? Do we hear the leaders of Africa calling for western intervention? Do we see the average African appealing for the help of USA and Europe?

Outsiders will not solve our troubles. Africa! Stand up and take action to solve your own problems! It is time for us Africans to take responsibility.

That is a dangerous argument. Who can preclude another Nanking resulting from such ambiguous moral standards?

Furthermore, by this token, shouldn't the nations of the world be piling in to attack the US and free the detainees being tortured in Guantanamo, attack the Chinese for the suppression of Tibetan resistance, the Indians for fighting the Naxal separatist movement and Israel for blockading off Gaza. I am fairly sure equally effusive and persuasive arguments could be made for such misadeventures.

I have been in been following the developments in Zimbabwe intermittently, and I am quite surprised by the level of inaction that is being taken by the international community. The US ambassador and his party are harassed and threatened to be burned alive and nothing nothing comes of it. This single event could have been used as a provocation that would have allowed more substantive action to be taken.
The country is and has been reeling from a food crisis brought on by the forced and ill managed removal of white farmers (land owners.) This was in fact in someways a tool to allow what is going on today to happen. He has used tools like this to buy support from followers that otherwise would be to expensive to attain.
These same followers I would guess are the ones going about the country causing mayhem now.
Teachers and churches being routed because they oversaw the results of the previous election makes one wonder who will be overseeing this election.
The people will either hunker down and accept the rule of President Mugabe, or they will rise up. The current opposition leader is not very aggressive from what I have read, true enough he running against President Mugabe when few others will, but he does not strike me as a strong leader.
If Morgan Tsvangirai does not start to show more aptitude then I fear he will fail in this election. If he fails in this election, then under a new and far more activist leadership the country will be ripe for a civil war, which will only make it worse for the average citizen and destabilizing for neighboring countries.
Something needs to be done sooner than later, and it would be preferred to happen pre election.
The AU (African Union) has not been very effective as a body for change. I think that the South Africa still has the best chance of creating change, but real pressure needs to be brought to bear, and unfortunately the most common tool used is economic sanctions and they are rarely catalyst for change.
I fear the best and most effective agent of change would be a UN force, sponsored and augmented with the blessing of the AU to go in by force and create the change that is needed.
It would not be the first time the UN has acted in such a fashion and will hopefully bring about a peaceful change (provided that President Mugabe does not take up arms.

Time will tell.

Finally someone has voiced what has had me dumbfounded for weeks.
If leading members of world politics are ready to condemn Mugabe, why aren't they prepared to actually do something to intervene and protect the disgusting atrocities against civilians being committed?
The saddest part of the whole situation is yet again Zimbabwean citizens will suffer because international aid will come too little, too late.
Maybe if the leaders of the world were starved and opressed by someone they did not elect, they might do something more than comment on how unpleasant the whole thing is.

Njoroge,
I believe you very correct. Watching from afar I am stunned that the international community is doing nothing but name calling and do nothing resolutions. I don't think the US should try to take control of the situation but I belive there is a real need for intervention. When I see us fighting meaningless/endless wars in Iraq I wonder why the just and worthy causes that we should stand up for don't get much attention. If there was oil in Zimbabwe the President would be calling Mugabe a Terrorist and have troops at his door.

Oh, and by the way, anybody notice that there little to No coverage of the Impeachment articals against Bush and Cheney.... Thats new worthy.

It is HIGH time that this thug was brought to justice