It's sad that its come to this. Its sad that the will of the people cannot be heard. Mugabe's plan to harrass, torture, murder and intimidate the opposition out has worked. Its a sad sad day for Zimbabwe.

It is quite obvious that he pulled out or was ordered to pull out because it was becoming more certain every day that he was going to lose on June 27th. Now he and his sponsors will start working on plan B or is it plan J by now. It all can turn into a happy day for Zimbabwe if those like you can convince the West to lift the economy-crippling sanctions or if Zimbabwe's true friends step up to the plate and give them some real help in overcoming what has been externally imposed on them in order to effect "regime change."

You are obviously CIO and as thick as a brick

djoser35 - You are obviously CIO or Mugabe and as thick as a brick. To do the unexpected might actually be the way to go.

obviously democracy has failed in zimbabwe;but what is the solution to this problem. if zimbabwe was a self professed communist country this may have been a little easier to swallow, but to consider it in anyway similar to democracy is extremely disturbing. regargless if the bbc or whoever else is exaggerating about the conditions in zimbabwe such images of so many different individuals being mutalated for the same freedoms we in the west claim to wage our wars against tyranny is an obvious reminder of how easily the world can tell itself it is moral and just and at the same time show how easy it can pass a blind eye on the obvious wrongs in the world. i am all for diplomacy but there comes a time when there is really nothing to talk about.......mugabe lost the initial elections even though he cheated and used intimidation tactics. mugabe's answer was not even to amend his policy, even if only for a short time, but to step up his tactics and to mutilate and kill more of his people. it is obvious that the schools of thought that hold that self determination is the best path for any country is the best route to take has already been nullified with the democratically stiffling acts of mugabe. another thing that upset me was the words of imbeke.....that mugabe and Tsvangirai should sit down and negotiate what they should do for the future of their country as if the problem was that of two neighbours disputing something trivial. not to be too contrite but the right thing is the right thing and one must condemn the wrong that one sees in front of him even if it is happening across imaginary lines called borders.mugabe can say what he says and do what he wants because he knows no one will actively step in so why would he sit at the negoitiating table-the other side has no leverage. i beleve some fights are worth dying for but for tsvangirai it was not his life that was being taken and he did the right thing in my opinion since he would run the risk of endangering even more and more as elections drew nearer and nearer. i have no faith in orgaiztions such as the united nations, their website is just good for acquiring information and donating money to soothe ones concience...it is not my concience that needs soothing it is the people who are scared in their own homes, who thought that they would have some say in their governance after the british left, who are now hunted by their own countrymen like the jacobins in the french revolution. when does the outside world say enough is enough. i think if we were still in the cold war at least some lines would have been drawn so that zimbabwe would at least have to toe the line of some sort of western standard as to differentiate itself from tyranny even if just in flimsy policy alone. mugabe is not a failure he is doing what he sees is best for him, on the contrary it is the we as human beings who have seen what is happening and can draw and can draw references from history and see the dangers who are failures...........if you can give or suggest some sort of way for an individual such as myself to help the cause of these people who are sujected to this please contact me at faddergibbs1983@yahoo.com

It is a sad day for Africa. It is a sad day for the entire continent. Every African person should be weeping over this. When will our politicians learn to change government without resort to shameless evil tactics!! Oh Africa! I cry for you. What a shame upon us. By the way readers, I hope you know that what is happening in Zimbabwe is not confined to Zimbabwe. It has happened in other countries like Kenya and Uganda. Oh Africa, when will your star ever shine!!!!! Indeed it is not yet Uhuru for you.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

What nonsence. Its more obvious that he pulled out because the chance of having a free and fair election were zero. And everyone knows it. And you're completely stupid if you believe anything else. With the ZanuPF youth militia beating MDC supporters, and all the other many many events that the Government has organised to cheat and to win this election. Once again (for about the millionth time) there are non economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, only travel restrictions. And no body is going to want to help the Mugabe government. They wont want to be seen associating with people that freely rape, murder and kill their own people. Zimbabwe is going down. Down. Down. And its a shame. The poor will suffer.

Another excellent post, djoser.

As usual, honest and truthful. Keep up the good work.

We have yet to see what attempts at further crippling the country and harming its people non-Africans have yet to dream up or announce but their true colours will, no doubt, be revealed soon enough.

On a point of order, I can see attempts to claim that the original results should now stand as no run-off has been held but under the country's constitution the High Court should be quickly able to put paid to such naff attempts to change Zimbabwe's consitution without due process.

The MDC control the lower house, they are the due process. Unless I'm very much mistaken being the legislature they can............legislate. If indeed Zimbabwe is a true democracy the separation of powers applies and the High Court cannot do diddly. Unless of course Zimbabwe isn't a democracy.

Whilst the opposition MDC may control parliament, the senate is controlled by the Zanu-PF. Just as with the lower and upper houses in the UK parliament and Congress and the Senate in the US, I'd imagine that Zimbabwe's parliarment can be vetoed by the senate.

This is democracy in action. The High Court, or Court of Appeal or Supreme Court, depending on which country you are in, becomes the final arbiter in most democracies.

I don't think I'm going to explain why there is an upper house it's too damn early.

Well consider the only sanctions target solely the 130 zanu pf ministers, I'm not sure what you are talking about in terms of non-africans harming the Zimbabwean people. And nobody has even tried to say that the original results should now stand, clearly that is not the case, so clearly the will of the people will not be heard, and the military junta will continue to mismanage Zimbabwe.

"Well consider the only sanctions target solely the 130 zanu pf ministers, I'm not sure what you are talking about in terms of non-africans harming the Zimbabwean people".

Your ignorance/denial appears to know no bounds. The American "Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act - 2001" saw and has seen since, most far reaching, effective, economic santions applied to Zimbabwe that means that country gets treated with extreme prejudice by all major international financial institutions including the World Bank, the IMF and the African Development Bank. Using its powerful power of veto where it can with the full support of UK and EU partners, and using influence where veto is not an option, the US has decreed, in law and from its highest office ouside of God, that economic sanctions be applied to Zimbabwe. These sanctions include restrictions on or withhold loans, no debt write off, no debt restructing and all the usual financial facilities afforded any developing country. How else do you think Zimbabwe's economy got into the state its in today so quickly after 2001?

The sanctions affect ordinary Zimbabwean people - all of them. Bravo the US, the EU and the UK. I think they will soon find their work in Zimbabwe is done and their services (sic) (dis-services would be a more correct description of what they are at) are no longer required.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/12/20011221-15.html

Oh you mean that people wont lend Zim money? Why do you never mention China and South Africa when it comes to this? Please answer this question. And besides, not lending people money because they wont pay it back is just smart business.

From your source: "This Act symbolizes the clear bipartisan resolve in the United States to promoting human rights, good governance, and economic development in Africa. My Administration shares fully the Congress' deep concerns about the political and economic hardships visited upon Zimbabwe by that country's leadership. I hope the provisions of this important legislation will support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful democratic change, achieve economic growth, and restore the rule of law."

Also, you include the EU and the UK? This link only points to the US. Why do you include the EU and the UK? Guilty by association?

Also from my source: 'the Act purports to direct the executive branch to oppose and vote against the extension of loans or the cancellation of debt in international financial institutions unless and until I make a certification or national interest determination'.

As for why I include the EU and UK in particular is because this initiative is driven by the UK and its "special relationship with the US". After all, the US doesn't really have any gripe with Zimbabwe and Bush had most likely, imo, never heard of the place before Blair brought the country to his attention.

Also, it takes no imagination to know that the UK and EU vote with the US at the World Bank, the IMF and other international financial institutions in stifling Zimbabwe of essential cash to live and breathe - that's for the last seven years!

As for ability to repay, by definition, developing countries have money problems. Countries less able to repay than Zimbabwe have debt written off, loans restructured and new loans extended. The problem is black and white; Zimbabwe has opened declared that it wants land, stolen by white people, distributed to black people.

Now that you are aware that hard-hitting economic sanctions have prevailed on the Zimbabwean economy from since the turn of the century, perhaps you can stop writing tosh on these boards and think of other reasons why Mugabe should not tell the West, and other lovers and backers of the opposition MDC, to take a hike.

So Selector, oh wise one, Why have you then not included South Africa and China, as these 2 countries have also refused to lend money to Zimbabwe?

No reply Selector? Cat got your tongue?

Amazing how Zimbabwe needs money from the IMF to develop the country yet can afford to send troops off to the DRC. Get real Selector, you know that any money given to ZANU-PF won't be used for the purpose it was loaned. Thankfully those financial institutions are not so naive.

Oh come off it - Rhodesia had comprehensive economic sanctions, an arms embargo, an oil embargo, an unrecognised government with no credit status and worldwide condemnation. Despite a level of sanctions and restrictions that Mugabe will probably not ever experience, the country maintained an economy that diversified to cater for all basic needs for the entire population, found innovative ways to bust the sanctions (as did South Africa in the 80's) and maintained a currency on par with the US$ while funding a armed force that sucked up R$1 million a DAY in the late 1970's. Mugabe & cronies get a travel ban and the US makes it difficult for them to loan money from western sources and now the currency is falling at light speed while the inflation rate by some accounts is over 1 million % (165 000% in February at the last government published figure) and the economy has contracted horrifically.

These surely have to be the most effective set of targeted sanctions ever imposed in the planet's history! Just to think that South Africa might have been free in the early 80's if a travel ban had been imposed on PW Botha and cronies and international lenders withdrew South Africa's credit lines? Oh wait, that happened and so much more, but inflation only hit 20% and the Rand halved in value over 5 years. ???

Sanctions don't work. They make life difficult for the elite, they harm the poorest of the nation the most, but they don't completely wreck economies and they certainly don't effect regime change: Rhodesia, South Africa, Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Burma just for starters offer ample proof of their failure to topple a government or lay waste an economy. To use them as an excuse for Zimbabwe's comprehensive economic failure is a measure of the desperation of Mugabe and his supporters to blame anything but themselves. He's mismanaged the country, the land reform process and the political process. Plain and simple.

African32...you scored 100% for that well rounded article. dont expect that that is the end though....these boneheads on here will never believe there are NO sanctions against zimbabwe..despite documentary evidence or otherwise. it serves their purpose to believe otherwise..that way they can excuse the largesse going on in zanupf!!

Thanks Selector. I always look forward to seeing you post your truths and common sense which go a long way in countering the many on these boards who are so wrapped up in their lies and distortions that they are unable to debate the issues. But then if you're on such shaky ground as they are I guess the last thing you want is a debate. Thus we have a campaign of lies and smears repeated over and over. As for as them claiming that MDC should win because they got the most votes May 29th, the chances of that succeeding are zero and none.

I dont think you know anything about debating dLoser. I think you'll find that with any of your posts, someone always corrects you and then you have nothing to say. Go through any of the threads and you'll find you end up being corrected with nothing to say. So bring on the debate I say. You're not very good at it afterall.

Yeah right, aDefendant! Show me one post where any of you half-wits have "corrected" me? Name one! You're all talk and not very good at it. You people have nothing to stand on simply because you're nothing but a bunch of ignorant would-be white supremacists trying desperately to convince someone that you in fact give a damn about the welfare of African people, when in fact you care only about African resources. The lot of you are frauds and you and I know it. Do you want to debate that?

One post when you have been corrected? Thats easy. Any post you've ever written about illegal sanctions. Haha. That was too easy. I have absoluetly no interest whatsoever in african resources. I can say that for a fact. In fact name one post of mine where I have mentioned that I havent been on the side of the Zimbabwean people. So please tell me where I have said something fraudulent? I dare you? I stand by my integrity. All your posts are simply attacking the white man for his views. Why is it so hard for you to believe that white people can care about the murders of black people? People are people. Colour doenst matter to me, like it does to you. You are not a racist though are you, you're happy to hate everyone, the whites and the black Zimbabweans that voted for Mugabe. Must be hard to live your life with so much anger. So what are you doing to help the suffering of the zimbabwean people? Not a thing! You dont even care about your own people, just like Mugabe.

one more thing. Every post you ever put up is always followed by another post correcting you, and then you never reply to it, because you have no intelligent come back. So its easy... look for any post you have made, and you'll see a correction.

to those who sing praise to mugabe , what justifies , the builiding of a multimillion dollar retirement mansion while your people starve, importing Timber from malaysia while people die due to lack of medicines that cost as little as £10 , people dying due to malaria due to lack of pesticides , oh not to mention dishing out all the nice farms located near road networks , in zimbabwe we say CHISINGA PERI CHINOSHURA which translates to something like nothing lasts forever , one little question you are going on with your daily life trying to survive and two people walk in one a "so called " african liberator and another a "so called " white imperialist and they both aim their guns at you and shoot simultaneously at your heart . which bullet killes you . mugabes or george bushes look at it this way Yes the west gets it wrong sometimes and sometimes they get it right otherwise they would not be successful in what they are . We as africans get it wrong sometimes and correct sometimes because we are still emerging and developing nations , but NOT ADMITTING OUR PROBLEMS WILL NEVER EVER HELP US AT AL NEVER ,WHAT DID WE DO ABOUT 1-RWANDA 2-SOMALIA 3.-KENYA 4-ZIMBABWE 5-UGANDA OUR LEADERS HAD TEA TOGETHER WHILE IN THEIR ENGLISH SUITS AND LOOKED THE OTHER WAY .

THE WEST WHAT DID THEY DO IN KOSOVO , SENT IN PEACE KEEPERS TO STAND IN THE MIDDLE AND MEDIATE AND THINGS SETTLED DOWN . thats all the african union should do save the innocent lives and be peace keepers because WHEN THE ELEPHANTS FIGHT IT IS THE GRASS THAT SUFFERS .THINK ABOUT IT DONT BLME THE REST OF THE WORLD FOR OUR PROBLEMS .LETS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Djoser35, please just shut your trap once and for all. I have been seeing you and kubatana, onesoulzim, selector and all those other losers’ posts for the past couple of weeks as I have surfed allafrica.com and I have really had it. You all are nothing but a disgrace to Africa. You and people like you are the reason why dictators like Idi Amin and Mobutu Sese Seko can hold on to power for years while raping the continent of its resources and brutalizing its people. You are the most obtuse, dense and intellectually challenged people I have ever encountered. When will you stop blaming the West and the whites for all the myriad problems facing Zimbabwe today? So the 'West’ has commited unspeakable atrocities and injustices in Zimbabwe and Africa at large…well, that’s very unfortunate and very terrible but the past cannot be changed. Africans need to shrug off the negative legacies of colonialism and begin to address/correct their problems one by one instead of sulking about the past. We are only hurting ourselves by doing so, while the ‘West’ continues to forge forward, progressing and developing itself. The whole world (blacks, white, mixed race, Asians, take your pick) knows that Zimbabwe’s problem right now can be laid squarely at the feet of the corrupt, incompetent, shameless, sadistic and avaricious government machine called Zanu-PF and its head honcho, Mr. Mugabe. You don’t have to be white to notice Mr. Mugabe’s legion faults…no, you just have to be intelligent and to value/recognize the truth, irrespective of your prejudices. Take this from a black African, born and bred..

Zahraela, I'm not in the least impressed by your so-called "black African, born and bred" status, simply because you are either a liar or a pathetic African uncle tom seeking love and "acceptance" from those who look down upon you. If you are indeed African, which I doubt, and not a fake European settler, then you are part of the problem. It was spineless collaborators, such as you appear to be, who helped foreigners enslave, colonize and otherwise rape the continent for centuries. You represent the sell-out who always found reasons to conspire against his own people for a trinket. Your pathetic reference to Amin and Mobutu shows your ignorance of the real situation going on in Africa since both were put in power by the West. As for "the whole knows..." BS, this is the lie that the western media has sought to push ever since Mugabe and his party decided to conduct land reform, after the West reneged on the Lancaster agreements. Mr. Mugabe was a great hero in Africa to the West until that. And of course he would again become an African hero in the West if he were to reverse it all and give the land back to the white settlers. My hope is that neither he nor his successor have more interest in being a hero in the West than doing the right thing for real African people. Then came the sanctions and other attempts to destroy the economy of this small African country. The mighty West, built by hundreds of years of slavery, colonialism and covert manipulations in Africa versus a tiny land-locked African nation, now that is a fair fight if there ever was one. BTW, Mr. Mugabe was voted the 3rd most popular Africa ever recently behind only Mr. Nkrumah and Mr. Mandela by real Africans. That must tell you something! While Mr. Mugabe may not be perfect like the numerous white leaders around the world, at least real Africans must like what he represents, one AUT's views notwithstanding!

Wow, arguing with you was such a waste of my precious time...

You really cant take critism well can you dLoser. Sometimes you when everyone is telling you you're a fool you should take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself why, rather than trying to shoot the messenger. Mandela said last night ""tragic failure of leadership". Says it all really dont you think?

iNDIE, with you we are always 'shooting the messenger'? Well.....the messenger needs to be shot because he is a damn liar!

Man, where do you live? Born and bred Africans living in Africa all over southern Africa are against Mugabe and his regime. Here in Botswana (where we have more and more Zims crossing the border fleeing for their lives) both the Zims and the Matswana are waiting for change. The shaking of heads towards Mugabe is daily. The trade unions are against Mugabe, both in Bots and in South Africa. The anti-Mugabe waves is growing in Africa, and this among regular Africans that have no part in a Western agenda.

You are sadly another still brain washed black man! Now go and get 'BASS' another beer!

You are sadly another still brain washed black man! Now go and get 'BAAS' another beer!

LOL, that's funny Kuba, coming from the most brainwashed black man here. I bet you talk ZANU-PF propaganda in your sleep.

Now I know how far detached from reality djoser is...WE are on shaky ground??? ha ha ha..I had to laugh honestly. Let's see who will be left standing soon mate..us or your daft idiot mugabe!

Now the West and probably SADAC and AU will impose real sanctions.The like of you and Mugabe have just proven it is the only way forward. You are guilty for the poor starving masses that will eventually rise up and kill the lot of you. Your Racist version of Pan Africanism is just for the elite few. You lot have made your bed, now lie in it. May you suffer.

What economy- crippling sanctions?! Do you mean the sanctions that only target the most high ranking officials of ZANU-PF? Can you explain how indivualized sanctions are crippling a nation? The sanctions have only frozen accounts of high ranking officials and prohibited their travel. Why, when I was in Zimbabwe for the last month, was there no chimombe (fresh milk), no huku (chicken), no mealie meal? These are all things that used to be produced from within. No sanction from outside should limit the production of products that once made Zimbabwe so strong. If you truly believe what you are writing, I feel sad for you. If you are just saying it to try to legitimate the torture, violence, and oppression, I feel even sadder for you.

Professor, save your breath and time. You will not convince the CIO operative djoser and phiri that there are NO sanctions in zimbabwe. WE are now all blue in the face trying to convince them but to no avail. Leave them be..blind leading the blind and into a pit they will soon fall. Their leader has as it is thrown down the challenge to God that ony God can remove him...he might just get his wishes seen to sooner than he expects.

It shows the lack of compassion in this specimen of a so called human that he delights in the suffering of HIS own fellow Zimbabweans so that mugabe can stay in power. No position was ever that important that men, women and children should be murdered fighting running battles with uneducated thugs weilding iron bars and sticks..all for a position.

Life and God has a way of teaching people a very valuable lesson..things that you wish unto others evenutally come back onto you so you can experience first hand for yourself what your fellow man went through. djoser, phiri, mugabe, kuba..your turn is just round the corner..you too will get to feel what an iron bar feels like smashing down and cracking a few bones as you plead for your lives and mercy..mark my words..mark my words.

Mugabe has now won a hollow victory..the country is his now to crap on like he has been doing all these years..only this time there is no paper to wipe his sorry behind..or water to wash his blood soaked crappy hands!

Professor, regarding crippling sanctions, I refer to my response to 'awt', above.

These sanctions mate:

Zimbabwe: The MDC Must Renounce the Sanctions Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2007 There are Economic Sanctions on Zimbabwe by the West, the MDC is complicit and MUST renounce them

By Tadios Chisango March 18, 2007

Western Sanctions, the MDC's complicity and the Economy:

Enumerating the economic sanctions and documenting their direct effects in total on Zimbabwe is not an easy task, practically. The difficulty of this task should not necessarily mean that there are no sanctions on Zimbabwe, however. What is possible, and that other writers before me have tried to do is to demonstrate that there are definitely some economic sanctions by the West targeted upon the entirety of Zimbabwe, not only Zanu PF officials, which the MDC and its sympathizers deny. Inferences can then be made about the full extent of the sanctions. Far from dismissing the so-called targeted sanctions, I will argue how they have adversarial effects on our economy. I will also argue that the MDC has been complicit in all the sanctions that have been imposed, or maintained, after its inception. The love-hate relationship between the IMF and the World Bank predates the formation of the MDC, for example, but its maintenance and the imposition of further sanctions (such as the Zimbabwe Democracy Bill) that entrenched it and have done further damage, have received the blessing of the MDC. If the MDC supported the sanctions unwittingly, believing they would only damage the interests of Zanu PF, its high time they acknowledged their naivety, and start repairing their damage. As long as they continue playing to the West's gallery, without openly renouncing the sanctions, they are responsible for the suffering the sanctions are meting out on our country. Once they renounce the sanctions, the West will look lame, and not have the excuse for the anti-Zimbabwe din they are currently playing to the world. At least, I hope the evidence and arguments I will present in this article graphically demonstrate the existence of the West's sanctions on Zimbabwe, as I have witnessed much denial on the part of those who support the West and the MDC.

The IMF and World Bank's Sanctions

Both the IMF and the World Bank suspended balance of payments to Zimbabwe in 1997 after the Government gave gratuities to ex-combatants. This is despite the fact that they had been assured that money would not come from investment funds, but from a package of tax increases and spending cuts. The suspension of the balance-of-payment loans invoked fears of a ballooning budget deficit that resulted in the first ever crash of the Zimbabwean dollar, and has partly facilitated the incessant fall of the Zimbabwean currency up to the present time. It must be emphasized that it is not the payments to ex-combatants that caused the decline of our currency, but the reaction of the IMF and the World Bank. Had they let it pass, as it was a one-off event anyway, I doubt it could have created an impact as huge as the unexpected cutting of crucial balance-of-payment loans. When the IMF finally agreed to provide a loan in 1999, Zimbabwe was, for the first time since independence, $20 million a month behind in its foreign debt repayment, resulting in a $190 million deficit for 1999. The sanctions were re-introduced in 2001, and still stand today.

The "Zimbabwe Democracy Bill" (2001)

The introduction of the "Zimbabwe Democracy Bill" by the US in 2001 set to entrench the financial starvation of Zimbabwe, which the IMF had been sporadically engaging in, as shown above. On December 21, 2001, US President George W. Bush signed into law S. 494, the "Zimbabwe democracy bill." The law, among other things, instructed American officials in the IMF and multilateral development banks - including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency -to "oppose and vote against any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee to the government of Zimbabwe," and to vote against any reduction or cancellation of "indebtedness owed by the government of Zimbabwe."

The above are virtually all the banks IN THE WORLD which could potentially lend money to Zimbabwe. Disturbingly, Zimbabwe cannot even borrow from Africa's own banks. Prior to the bill, at least Zimbabwe could obtain credit from other international financial institutions when the IMF and the World Bank cut its credit lines. This effectively means that Zimbabwe is one of the very few countries in the world that currently exists without any balance of payments support and external lines of credit. The only external alternative Zimbabwe is left with is borrowing from other governments, which is not very easy. Only recently, Zimbabwe failed to get a loan from both South Africa and China. We should note that in the developing world in general, it is the rule rather than the exception to experience persistent trade deficits that often necessitate government from some of the above institutions. Without such external funding, no economy in the developing world survives, and Zimbabwe is no exception. From the Zimbabwean perspective, this law can only be described as "cruel". On its own, I guess it has been significant enough to plunge the economy in its present down spiral, with any other sanctions/measures only having additive effects. The support the MDC gave to the enunciation of this law renders them an enemy of our people.

In addition, the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy Bill vetoes debt relief to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs debt relief now more than ever, in order to invest in capital and social development, rather than spend its already depleted foreign reserves on servicing debt. Huge debt is not necessarily a sign of mismanagement, as some people will say, so Zimbabwe should not be punished for it, unless the motive is ulterior. For everyone's information, the most indebted countries have the biggest economies in Africa and India, quite a model economy for us, is easily the most indebted developing country in the world. The US and its allies are throttling Zimbabwe's throat!

European Union Sanctions:

On February 18, 2002, the European Union's foreign to imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe. Under terms of the sanctions, The European Union suspended budgetary support to Zimbabwe and terminated "financial support for all projects" except "those in direct support of the population." All financial aid would be "reoriented in support of the population, in particular in the social sectors, democratization, respect for human rights and the rule of law." With Zimbabwe banned from obtaining credit from the IMF and the World Bank, prohibited from borrowing money from any other of the World's major financial institutions by the USA, and with Europe terminating its support, the vicious stamp on Zimbabwe comes full-cycle. It is only paradoxical that the EU has "reoriented" its support to the "population" which will inevitably be hurt by its "suspension of budgetary support and termination of financial support for all projects".

The European Union denies that it has imposed trade sanctions on Zimbabwe (pdf). At the same time, some evidence at least points to the fact that the EU has withdrawn its sugar export quota it had for Zimbabwe. If these are not trade sanctions, then what the hell are they? This actually reminds me of an interview Jonathan Moyo gave to Zimnetradio.com, in which he appeared to claim that farms seized during the land reform program had been black-listed by the European Union. Having conveniently maintained the EU and the USA as traditional markets inherited from the colonial period, any trade sanctions they impose/have imposed on Zimbabwe, whether de jure or de facto certainly can be expected to have biting effects as building new ones cannot be done overnight.

Other De Facto Sanctions:

The above example on the trade sanctions suggests that not all sanctions targeted on Zimbabwe are in Black somewhere. The view I have expressed above is buttressed by the following example:

"Zimbabwe receives an average of just $4 per HIV-infected person compared with $74 elsewhere, Ms Bellamy told reporters in Johannesburg on her last tour of Africa as head of Unicef...The world must differentiate between the politics and people of Zimbabwe," she said, as reported by the BBC.

Can somebody tell me please: what justifies the condemnation of children to death? The fact that they hate Mugabe predicts their desire to actively partake in the demise of these kids!? This is but a tip of the iceberg! They at least feel that they do not really have an obligation, and it's just an act of charity that they are helping these kids, so they have at least the guts to publish their hate. There is much behind the scenes!

Another example demonstrates the extent to which the US and British Governments are ready to go, even against individual Zimbabweans. Long after Simba Makoni resigned from the Government, the US Government successfully blocked his campaign for the post of president of the African Development Bank. Surely, it is not at all sensible that they maintain sanctions against Simba Makoni because he is a FORMER Minister of finance. And to suggest, even at the most implicit level, that Simba Makoni is, or was involved in, or supported, or facilitated, or perpetuated, any of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe is sheer nonsense!

Simba Makoni is not a full-fledged politician at all, having been incorporated into government as the Minister of finance solely on his business, not political CV and had to be fast-tracked into the politburo to make his position as the Minister get in line with Zanu PF protocols. If the West [The US and EU] say the sanctions are targeted at Zimbabwe's ruling elite, which they accuse of stifling democracy as well as violating human rights, how is Simba Makoni part of the game? How is he stifling democracy? Is he violating/has he violated any human rights? I can only guess there are other de facto sanctions the EU, the US and their satellite states have imposed on us that we haven't yet been able to understand.

Depleting our national "goodwill" through Media Demonization

I make another bold claim that the demonization the West does of Zimbabwe is tantamount to sanctions. The Herald is a Zimbabwean government owned Newspaper and the BBC is a British owned government owned broadcaster. The Herald is a government owned newspaper in Zimbabwe, and the BBC is a British government owned broadcaster. The Herald is obviously pro Zimbabwe Government and anti-British Government, while the BBC is basically anti-Zimbabwe. One major difference between the 2 is that the BBC is able to harness its resources to inform and bias world opinion on Zimbabwe. The Herald cannot inform World opinion in any concrete way that is comparable to the BBC. They are able to paint the Zimbabwean Government and society as essentially anti-White, for example, such that any "White" person may be hacked to death upon alighting a plane at the Harare airport.

They don't tell the world that the majority of the major companies, mines, and conservancies are in fact owned by Whites in Zimbabwe, and that they live quite peacefully in Zimbabwe's picturesque suburbs like Glen Lorne. They paint a grotesque picture of Mugabe willfully starving his people, but don't tell us how much the sanctions they have imposed on Zimbabwe harm ordinary people. They make millions of the world's population believe that Zimbabwe is the hell on earth full of animal-like beings perpetually scrounging for food in the rubbish dumps. To my mind, this produces a profound effect that can be captured in $ terms.

The so-called targeted sanctions

While we celebrate that Zanu PF "fat cats" are reeling under the effects of the so-called targeted sanctions, they in fact have a broad side-effect on the economy. Who wants to do business with a people whose Government is treated like dare-devils by both the USA and the EU? Again, it's a matter of depleting our national goodwill. While the EU and the USA claim there are no trade sanctions on Zimbabwe (which I have disputed above anyway) is it not necessary for the trade minister of Zimbabwe to meet his British counterpart once in a while, or any other business people in Britain and the rest of the EU, the USA, or in Australia, New Zealand and Canada? Does this have a null effect on Zimbabwe's business capacity and on its business relations with the above countries and in fact the rest of the world? We would only be very naïve to believe the opposite. In addition, some of the Zanu PF officials, no matter that we may not like them, own businesses that contribute to the GDP of the country.

Did we not become a bit perturbed the other day when the father of Prince Charles of Britain's son's girlfriend, who runs conservancies in Zimbabwe, had to defend himself on the charges by the West that his businesses dealings help sustain the "Mugabe Regime?" The man lives in Zimbabwe and is not supposed to have business links which are deemed by the West to prop the Mugabe regime? My foot! This gives us a "privileged view" into the devilish intents of the West on Zimbabwe in general, and the Zimbabweans whose livelihoods depend upon Charles Davey's operations. More recently, the Western sponsored International Crisis Group, advocated for the addition of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's Governor to the targeted sanctions list. I am not naïve enough to believe that this would affect Gono as an individual, with zero effect on the Reserve Bank's activities. And somebody would have me believe that the Reserve Bank is part of Mugabe's regime, and not part of the Zimbabwean economy.

Oh those ones... the ones that China and South Africa are also participating in... ie not lending Zimbabwe money. Why do you never mention China in this? Or are you just stupid enough to consider China a puppet of the west? Ask yourself why china wont lend Zimbabwe money, and that will tell you why no one else will either.

Are you stupid enough not to know that China provides millions of dollars to Zimbabwe and is investing quitely in it's economy? And this is likely to increase after the Olympics.

Haha millions of Dollars? Whats that about £20? haha. China wont want to be seen associating with Mugabe his actions.

Cant see anyone "stepping up to the plate" to use your yuppie lingo to help this murderous horrid little thug. As for "friends"...what a joke..the only friends he has outside of zanupf are mbeki, and the offensive djoser,phiri, selector, and kuba. So if you can come up with a few trillion dollars to rebuild and clean the toilet zimbabwe has become under your illustrious leader mugabe and his mistress disGraceful..go ahead and part with your money..remembering.."A fool and his money are soon parted".

Which brings me to another point...what are you so angry and bitter about. your lover mugabe is still in power..I thought instead of coming on here and abusing people you would be celebrating and be over the moon. Could it be this is not the outcome you had hoped for. maybe you secretly hoped morgan would win so you could pin the ultimate collapse of the country onto him.....well, your dirtbag mugabe is now backin charge again...lets see him turn the economy around and restore the zim dollar to what the rhodesia dollar was when he took over..ie just two pence short of the pound....not the mind boggling astronomical calculator defeating rates we see these days!!!!

so you think with the sanctions taken off it will be a happy day for zimbabwe............. mugabe just uses this as an excuse to say he is not resposible for inflation and all the other problems in the country and hide from the real issues

What a day, where do we go from here? Its a very sad day for Zimbabwe and its people. In a way it became very clear that there was no way the elections were going to be free and fair and that ZanuPF wasn't going to accept the will of the people. I am so appauled by the African leaders for sitting there and letting things get to this point in particular Thabo Mbeki!!! Nothing that has happened in Zimbabwe in the last 3 months has been predictable, for a while there I was sure Mugabe would pass on the torch but now I really do not know whats going to happen. And to think that in March I thought that it couldn't get any worse and now its 100 times worse than it was then. Someone please tell me the bloodshed will stop, how could we kill each other like that, why, why, why. I hope to God that those responsible for this genocide are brought to justice someday, we saw gukurahundi, murambatswina and now this how much can people take. this government has been nothing but a bunch of heartless murderers!!! I hope someday justice will be served.

Mugabe and his savage supporters have learned a lesson today - which is that if they brutalize enough people, they will win. However, the truth will always prevail, even if it takes longer than one would like. Morgan Tsvangirai has taken the high moral ground for the sake of people's lives. In the end Mugabe will lose - "evil will destroy the wicked".

the whole african region has failed,which only cements the myth that africans cannot govern themselves.the international community is to blame too, for shedding crocodile tears instead of acting swiftly to ensure that tsvangirai has a free and fair platform of conducting an election campaign.inaction is a crime as well.

For the brave Zimbabweans who stood up and voted in previous elections and made your voice heard in the run-up to the run-off: your efforts have not been completely wasted. Look at what you were able to do.

Despite the threats during the first election (and previous elections) - the Zimbabweans who voted their will to get rid of a man who had devastated Zimbabwe: congratulations. You did a brave, noble, good thing. And it hasn't been for nothing:

Because of the March elections Zimbabwe, Mugabe, his followers, African neigbors and the world heard what Zimbabweans undeniably wanted: Mugabe to leave office. So for the run-off Muagabe and his followers had to go to more extreme measures to remain in power. This means More people in Zimbabwe, More people in Mugabe's own base of supporters (hopefully), More African leaders and citizens and More leaders and citizens of the world saw ever more clearly the madness within Mugabe and the Necessity to Remove Him Quickly - and are motivated even more to solutions to make that happen.

Voting Zimbabweans made that happen... and this isn't over.

I think we have to respect Morgan and MDC for their decision not to participate in the runoff. I think a number of factors influenced them: 1) SADC was not going to recognise the election outcome and had been pushing them to pursue a deal with ZANU (PF). 2) Tsvangirai's chances of winning had vanished not because he was no longer popular with the people but because ZANU (PF) had made it clear that voting for Tsvangirai was akeen to voting for death and that Mugabe was still going to be the President regardless of the outcome of the election. 3) ZANU (PF) had taken the MDC stronghold of Harare captive over the past weekend. The fact that the majority MDC residents of Harare had not resisted the takeover of their city showed how vulnerable the MDC was in the event that Tsvangirai won and Mugabe carries out his threat to unseat him. It appeared as if ZANU (PF) was rehearsing for what they would do in the unlikely event of an MDC victory.

I am not sure if the path Tsvangirai and MDC chose was the best option for them as a party but it looks like it was the best option for the majority of Zimbabweans who liked MDC but were not going to vote for them for fear of their lives. For the political survival of himself and his party, Tsvangirai must now pursue some kind of arrangement with ZANU (PF). I think he can now embrace Mugabe's presidency in exchange for a change in the constitution to create a position of Prime Minister for him. My only worry for him is that ZANU (PF) is not an honest negotiator. ZANU (PF)peolpe only negotiate to buy time for themselves. ZANU (PF) also wants to erase the MDC from the political map of Zimbabwe and may refuse any kind of arrangement with Tsvangirai but instead pursue complete demolition of the MDC.

I sympathise with Tsvangirai in that ZANU (PF) is such a predatory party which likes to leave its prey with no sound option except to capitulate. We thank Tsvangirai for being the beacon of democracy for Zimbabwe for the past ten years and hope that an opportunity to be leader of Zimbabwe shall again arise for him in the future. At 56, age is still on Tsvangirai's side.

A quote from Tutu tonight.... "Mugabe needs to show he is a true liberation fighter and listen to what the people have said"

Indie, come on now Tutu is just another Muzurewa! He even looks like that puppet with his Zimbabwe-rhodesia bull****!

Typical Kubatana6, he thinks any black person who doesn't support Mugabe is a puppet.

We can only pray for the people of Zimbabwe. The UN is useless. It has no relevance today, it couldn't stop Rwanda, Iraq, Burma etc. It is an evil organization bent on destroying the world, not saving it as it was intended. The only ones who can save Zimbabwe is the African countries who already went through this. South Africa still wants its revolution, so it won't do anything. In fact it is seeing how far Mugabe can push the world, so they will know how far they can go when the time comes... The only reason the West should get involved is to prevent SA from going the same way. The UK is the main one responsible for this crisis, they could help fix it. The US won't be interested anyway unless there's oil, so they can go to...

The question now is how with the government treat the MDC supporters going forward? A clamp down on them? I suspect there will be a large number of MDC supporters leaving the country and creating a flood of refugees into South Africa. Maybe if Mbeki was a leader and a humanitarian, this would be something he wouldnt have to deal with.

Open Letter to AU executive chairperson Jean Ping

Dear Sir,

It is very disheartening that the African Union has not come out as strongly as it should have done on the Zimbabwean Question. The situation in Zimbabwe has been deteriorating for a decade now and because of the concept of the built in "Non-Interference" clause in the charter, you have Mr Robert Mugabe perpetrating crimes against humanity to which the AU turns a blind eye. Today Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the run-off and you, the African leaders will line up to congratulate Mr Mugabe for his "victory". The question that will not be on the lips of any one of you is "how many people have been killed, how many people have been maimed, how many people have been displaced, how many women have been raped?" Your only pre-occupation will be how many bottles of champagne are being chilled now that Tsvangirai is out of the way.

The African Union, we have always feared, is just an old boy's meeting place to hold annual parties and for member governments to give jobs to their supporters to. The positioning of the AU and the other useless body called SADC has just been to posture against Britain, America and other so-called former colonial powers when our own leaders have been worse than the colonial masters not only in terms of stealing resources, but in terms of killing opponents and other forms of brutality which our parents never envisaged when they fought against colonialism.

Mugabe's megalomania where he is even claiming to be next to God or even God himself will lead him to claiming God's throne itself because you, the AU, choose not to do anything. The tragedy though is that as he makes those weird claims of his, Zimbabweans citizens are being killed, maimed, raped, intimidated and displaced. Tomorrow, you will line up to pat each other's backs with Mugabe for a "good job". It is a shame that you, the AU, exist in our name as Africans when you let the ordinary people you represent being treated worse than animals. Not even the slaves that were shipped to the Americas all those centuries ago were treated in the manner Mugabe has treated Zimbabweans in the last decade or so.

Kwame Nkrumah and other true Pan-Africanists who sacrificed their lives for the African peoples' cause must be turning in their graves that we are still driving spears up each other's backsides just to keep mad men like Mugabe in power while the AU does absolutely nothing. Look at Darfur, the other blight of the continent, look at the xenophobia in South Africa. All you do as the AU is to posture against Britain, against the US. All this against the backdrop of the champagne that pops in the posh Addis Ababa hotels. Mugabe is no different from Foday Sankoh, from Charles Taylor, from Jean-Pierre Bemba. He deserves a place of shame at The Hague and the best force to capture him is the African Union. If the British or Americans do it for you, you will cry foul as usual.

As it is, I will not be surprised if you will be the first ones to CONGRATULATE Mugabe and join him at the National Stadium to toast his sham victory. As I write, Namibia's army chief, Lt. Gen. Shalli has already assured him how his country will not interfere in Zimbabwe's internal matters.

Surely, you must be ashamed of yourselves!

Gershom Ndhlovu.

Mugabi, is digging his own grave. It's just a matter of time. The question is how deep does he want his garve?

Mugabi is a butcher who will kill at will to stay in power. He butchered 20,000 of Zimbabweans and get away with it. This time, he has his junior brother, Mbeki, cheering him on. It's just a matter of time before this idiot Mugabi and his gang of butchers are brought to book to face justice.

He is worse than Ian Smith; and Africans should not turn a blind eye to Mugabi criminal activities against peaceful citizens of Zimbabwe just because he's black. Mbeki is the new P. W. Botha regarding his inaction about the suffering of our brothers in Zimbabwe. Injustice in Zimbabwe is injustice everywhere. Africa was at war with Ian Smith, when our brothers were been oppressed in Zimbabwe. The butchering, oppression, intimidation persist in Zimbabwe, but this time, under a new sherriff called Mugabi. The only difference is , Mugabi is black and Ian Smith was white. It was wrong for a white dictator to kill Zimbabweans, and should also be wrong for Mugabi, black dictator, to butcher Zimbabweans.

The reactions of African leaders are too little too late. Their silence had made them accomplices in the creation of a monster called Mugabi in Zmbabwe. African leaders, past and present should burry their heads in shame. They have no moral authorities and wonder why they are not taking serious by non African head of states.

I would end my frustration and agony as and African with a quotation from Haile Selassie,

'Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it matters the most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph"

Power to the people: The will of the people will prevail in Zimbabwe regardless of what the butchers of Zimbabwe think.

How come Nelson Mandela is silent about the injustice going on in Zimbabwe?

The inquiry mind wants to know. Like Mbeki,is he also in bed with Mugabi.

Both Mandela and Mbeki are aware of the non-African, foreign attempts to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic, African-serving government. Why should they condemn Mugabe considering they do not condemn Mugabe's detractors?

Mbeki is a politician and a diplomat whilst Madiba is an world respected elder statesman. Neither is in the habit of taking sides on the side of injustice of which there is much metted out on Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans from non-African, foreign sources.

Since when has the currnet government been democratic? They said themselves if they lost the election they would take it into their own hands. You cant be democratic only when it suits you. Mbeki will now have a flood of Zimbabweans on his doorstep. Good luck to him, he's just given his own country more problems to deal with.

Selector, since when has killing 20,000 of your own people been classed as democratic? Sounds more like genocide, the hague and the death penalty to me. Only history will judge Mugabe. And he will be remembered as a Tyrant to raped and murdered his own people and who stole elections through intimidation and is unloved by his people. Know when to quit I say.

Indie, you or your cronies never want to answer the hard questions. If Mugabe killed these 20 000 people,it happened 27 years ago- why wasn't anything done about it then? Why didn't he face international courts then? And you westerners were o.k with it back then! Don't keep lying to people on this site until you have proper facts because the simple question i asked really makes you look very,very stupid!

How many times do things have to be explained to you Kuba? Do you think Mugabe is the first leader to get away with a crime against humanity? How long did Saddam gas kurds before he was brought to justice?

You are too simple minded for these debates Kuba.

"African-serving"? Selector, you have chosen a fine pseudonym - apparently your memories and perceptions of reality are quite selective. How is starving your own people, ruining their economy, giving good land only to your cronies, undermining democracy, and beating citizens to death "African serving?" Do tell.

Selector: you are entitled to your prejudices. But there is nothing more pathetic than someone who is self-delusional. I don't think you know what "democracy" means. It seems you have just grabbed onto a word the white people use. Go educate yourself. Your opinions reflect what you are - along with Mugabe and his conscienceless supporters - psychopaths.

"you are entitled to your prejudices. But there is nothing more pathetic than someone who is self-delusional. I don't think you know what "democracy" means. It seems you have just grabbed onto a word the white people use. Go educate yourself. Your opinions reflect what you are - along with Mugabe and his conscienceless supporters...." -

Dear diepondok, on the subject of nature or nurture many argue that justice is a matter of nature; we're born with the inherent ability to know the difference betwixt right and wrong.

One does not educate oneself on the subject of justice and democracy; one instictively knows what those two defenders of the people are. Demonisation of Zimbabwe by non-Africans in light of the governments stated aim to more fairly apportion land to black Africans in the light of historical injtsices is neither democratic nor judicious. It is self-interest and unfairness personified.

"Demonisation of Zimbabwe by non-Africans in light of the governments stated aim to more fairly apportion land to black Africans in the light of historical injtsices is neither democratic nor judicious." This is simply not the case. The "Demonisation" is because of other countries wishing what any normal human would want on the people of Zimbabwe. A chance to be heard, a chance to vote freely without it potentially costing your life, and a chance to live in a free and safe environment. Unfortunately this is not possible for the people of Zimbabwe. If your neighbour was raping his wife and murdering his family, would you want to make any deals with him?

"The "Demonisation" is because of other countries wishing what any normal human would want on the people of Zimbabwe. A chance to be heard, a chance to vote freely without it potentially costing your life, and a chance to live in a free and safe environment. Unfortunately this is not possible for the people of Zimbabwe".

The good and intelligent people of Zimbabwe have enjoyed all of the above since independence. I've said it before and I will say it agaon, it is patronising in the extreme to suggest otherwise. And besides, Zimbabweans have SADC and the AU to call on if or whenever they need assistance. What's up with that?

"The good and intelligent people of Zimbabwe have enjoyed all of the above since independence." What a joke. You obviously havent been following the news lately have you. Are you seriously saying that MDC supporters are free to vote for the MDC without any possibility of being tortured and beaten and murdered? Tell that to the 85 people that have been murdered. Tell that to the estimated 200,000 people that have been displaced. And tell it to all the Zimbabwe people that have fled to South Africa in fear of their lives living in Zimbabwe. In fact tell that to the 20,000 Ndebele people that were murdered by Mugabe, the genocidal maniac also.

Dear Selector, I don't think you get it! My point is that you keep talking about democracy in Zimbabwe, when everyone is trying to tell you that genocide, murder, rape, intimidation, coercion, and burning people alive after chopping off their limbs, is NOT what is universally known as democracy. If you think the means justify the end for Mugabe to stay in power, at least have the courage of your convictions and say so, but don't insult our intelligence by attempting to whitewash (pun not intended)what is actually taking place there. As an aside, if people inherently know the difference between right and wrong, why do so many people choose wrong? Unless you think wrong is right! In reality people who choose to carry out wholesale brutality on other people, can do so because they have no conscience. People without conscience are termed psychopaths. Some call it evil. Now go figure. Also, the history of the world is all about conquerors and the conquered. Throughout the ages people have progressed after adversities, because they have not sat and whined about the unfairness of the past. Israel is a good example of people who built a nation from nothing. In Africa you at least had an infrastructure left for you to build on (no matter how detestable colonialism is for you). You have had Uhuru for years, but instead of building your country on the foundation that was left you, you blame your ills, inabilities, lack of progress and prejudices on the past and on white people, instead of forging ahead. With that mentality, you will never progress.

diepondok

There is nothing democratic about the UK, the EU or the US interfering in Zimbabwean affairs. Perhaps you should consider your own understanding of the word. The elections in Zimbabwe were deemed free and fair; this is democracy in action.

The problem with the elections was simply that the results were not to the satisfaction of the UK, the EU and the US. It is farcical for you to talk of democracy or the lack of it in Zimbabwe when what we are witnessing is a most undemocratic process by the Western powers mentioned who themselves are refusing to accept the democratic will and decisions of the good and intelligent people of Zimbabwe.

As for blaming others or the past for Zimbabwe's woes, the call has long been for the UK, the EU and the US to butt out of Zimbabwe. There's no need for blame just the simple ask for self-interested, non-African, foreigners to take a hike. They seem unable to do so.

Up until after the elections at the end of March, Zimbabwe was one of the most peaceful countries in all of Africa. They had free and fair elections and now the country is in turmoil. That's illogical and a direct result of political violence from supporters of both the opposition MDC and the ruling Zanu-PF parties. The call should be for a return to peace for the, up until after the last elections, peaceful and peace loving people of Zimbabwe. Not for complete eradication of the democratic process which is what self-interested, non-African, foreigners are asking for; that Zimbabwe's constitution and its voters be ignored. (???)

So, forget the past - just butt out.

As for using Israel as an example of success you could have done so much better. Israel's entire history is steeped in violence, aggression, state-acknowledged murder, killing of innocent women and children and more. By calling such a model a good example you expose your position and thoughts on democracy and would do well to keep such oppressive interpretations to yourself.

Selector, you really are quite stupid arent you. You say the election was deemed to be free and fair, and this showed that only 43% of people want Mugabe in power, while 57% of people do not. You talk about "refusing to accept the democratic will and decisions of the good and intelligent people of Zimbabwe". Surely this is exactly what Mugabe is doing, but not allowing people to vote freely and fairly? And you want the UK, EU and US to butt out of Zimbabwe, yet you want them all to lend you money? And complain bitterly that they dont? You cant have money for free. You talk about the "complete eradication of the democratic process" now how about Mugabe saying that he would never accept the results if the MDC won, and he was prepared to "go to war" if he lost. Surely if you want to look at the eradication of the democratic process you have to point a finger solely in the direction of Mugabe. And thats not even starting to talk about the beating, intimidation and murder of oppositon supporters. Mugabe is clearly the one that thinks that "Zimbabwe's constitution and its voters be ignored."

awt, whilst you may wish for me to be stupid, that won't be happening today. But name call if you must, that's terribly grown up.

To say 57% do not want Mugabe is faulty; you'd be more correct to say 57% preferred another candidate, all else is postulation.

Regardless, according to the country's constitution as agreed by all parties including the opposition MDC, anything less than an outright 51% requires a run-off. So according to observers from over forty countries and the country's constitution, the elections were free and fair. If you consider that fact a stupid one then you're entitled but your inability to understand electoral process doesn't put the process at fault.

As for lending money, I've said the UK, the EU and US should butt out of Zimbabwe. Now what the heck are you talking about?

Mugabe quoted War Vets who had told him they were prepared to go to war. That's not the same as him saying he would go to war. The war he talked of was a war against ex-colonial foces if they tried to take Zimbabwe. As for him saying he would never accept the MDC, his fuller quote was that he would never accept the MDC if it meant Zimbabwe being returned to former colonial powers and land being returned to whites.

selector, why do you make up such lies? 57% of people did not want Mugabe full stop. Which ever way you want to word it, it remains a fact. Do you need me to draw some venn diagrams for you? But you're right, these elections may have been free and fair, lets just assume this the case for now, but the elections on the 27th, which I am referring too, are most definately not. And if you think they are, you are blind to what has been happening in Zimbabwe, and hence Mugabe is not respecting the will of the people, and allowing them to vote as they wish. You cant honestly say that a zimbabwean can vote MDC without the slightest fear it will cost him his life. As for the UK, EU and US butting out, surely you are one of these Mugabe followers that believe that the 'sanctions' imposed by the west is the reason behind the downfall of the Zim economy? Apologies if this is not the case. I was just pointing out that if this is the case, you cant expect the west to drop these 'sanctions' and ask them to butt out at the same time. Because surely lending money would be butting in. You cant have both. Finally. "Mugabe quoted War Vets who had told him they were prepared to go to war." I refer you to this article http://allafrica.com/stories/200806231316.html It quotes "The War Veterans Board... has dismissed President Robert Mugabe's claims they have endorsed his threats to go back to war if he lost Friday's election." I think that clears that up. So are you saying that Mugabe would accept the MDC if it meant that Zimbabwe would not be returned to former colonial powers and land not returned to whites? I hardly think this is the case. He is simply a power hungry genocidal dictator with no respect for democracy.

Selector - you still don't get it! The good Book says not to argue with a fool. I will no longer waste my energy.

diepondok, rest assured, I definately get it.

The Good Book also teaches us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing of which the self-interested UK, the EU and the US are prime examples, imo, when it comes to Zimbabwe.

There is more political violence metted out in the ex-colonial Caribbean come election time than in Zimbabwe but there's no uproar. Why? Because the Caribbean, like South America and most of Africa, with both ruling and opposition parties, have no problem oppressing indigenous, majority blacks in favour of minority non-blacks.

Zimbabwe's problem is that Mugabe has dared to state the obvious truth and challenge centuries-old oppression of and injustice towards blacks that continues to this day.

Seeing as you brought the Good Book into proceedings, listen and learn; who have eyes to see, let them see; and who has ears to hear, let them hear.

I believe "Rome" is synonymous with Western oppression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kji2qk771pQ

Again Selector you're right on point. These people are so used to African's attacking other Africans at their beck and call that they get so upset when one like Mbeki does not, whether justified or not. They have so long bullied and bribed Africans to attack other Africans that they become insanely bitter when one refuses to do so just because they have an agenda that they want to fulfill. It is really encouraging to see someone like Mr. Mbeki not knuckle under to these people. Of course they will and are increasingly turning their big guns (their massive propaganda machine that churns out more lies in a week than the rest of the world does in a year) on him. One can only hope that both Azania and Zimbabwe will remain strong in face of the coming attacks and that they will make the alliances necessary to protect their sovereignty.

djoser...your primary school education understanding of wrld events is starting to show and you are embarrassing yourself. Who is used to africans attacking africans at their beck and call. The whole world apart from yourselves and mbeki are up in arms at mugabe attacking and murdering his fellow africans. You would rather mugabe murdered his own people that allow for mbeki to chastise him verbally. Oh My God! you are a truly horrid man..no wonder you adore the horrid little thug with blood on his hands..you are cut from the same cloth!!!

Yeah like your kindergarten understanding trumps my primary school. Embarrassing myself, to whom, european half-wits who proclaim that they are the owners of the world and whine like babies when an African president has the guts and integrity to stand up and say 'no, this is mine'. Then you start a campaign of vicious lies in an effort to destroy him and take back the land that he gave back to his people. What friggin "whole world" are you talking about, the whole white world and the few non-whites that you have been able to buy? That mon fer is less than 20% of the world. When the surrounding Africa countries decide the situation needs to be dealt with they will and it won't be based on the lies and exaggerations of the "whole white world". BTW, Mr. Mugabe is responsible directly and indirectly for far fewer deaths than the leaders of the main countries who are leading this attack against him. If you had 10% of the knowledge of world events that you think you have you would know that. Nay my friend, you're the one who is embarrassing himself.

"an African president has the guts and integrity to stand up and say 'no, this is mine'" - you call beating and murdering and raping his own people the guts and intergrity to stand up? You're a disgrace. Tell that to the 80 people beaten and murdered by Mugabe's thugs. At the end of the day, people are human, and people dont like to see what happened in Zimbabwe. The people will overcome. Zimbabwe will become increasingly isolated and will become a country solely relying on aid to survive (its pretty much there already). Meanwhile the government will live on whatever scraps of foreign exchange they can pull together. Not from the tourist dollar because no one wants to visit a sh!thole like Zimbabwe anymore. Its too unsafe.

Since you last wrote this the whole world is now including most of africa..so what say you about that now mugabe lover..what say you?? They all cant be white anglos now can they??? lets hear the latest bit of fiction straight out of the pages of the Herald!

You of course mean the "whole white world" and their wannabes, since I haven't heard anything from China, India, Pakistan, Viet Nam, South America and the rest of Africa except for a few for-hire UTs. You like the fiction of the BBC, CNN, The Times, and etc. Maybe I like my "fiction" with more truth to it than you do.

So Jacob Zuma, head of the ANC, a political party that won against apartheid, that clearly knows right from wrong, has strongly voiced his concerns about Mugabe, is a "for-hire UTs"? There are many other examples, but these countries that you mentioned are all part of the UN which UNANIMOUSLY said that what is happened under Mugabe is totally unacceptable. You really are quite stupid to believe what you beleive arent you. Poor soul.

I think you'll find that most of africa wont want to associate with Mugabe now, after the way he's treated his people. No one wants to be seen with a genocidal power hungry maniac that doesnt care about murdering his own people for his own personal gain.

I bet you can name and count on one hand the africans enriched by your mugabe "african serving" govt. What is it they fed you in the re-education camps to make you so think I wonder????

you spoke too soon... HAHA. Did you not see Mandela has weighed in critisising Mugabe?

Robert Mugabe is a mass murderer. On many occasions, he doesn't order the murder... he just orders mass violence against anyone he fears or doesn't like or doesn't understand.

If I had the mindset of Mugabe, i'd call for Mugabe's death right now. Its very tempting. A Dead Robert Mugabe could not be a bad thing, could it? Unto itself that would be a good thing, but unfortunately it could initiate many negative unforeseen consequences.

Now of course, there is the bureaucratic/military machine he has surrounding him, and that is a more difficult task of dismantling.

British Colonial rule was not a good thing, it should not have occurred to begin with.... but the British ruled Zimbabwe far more fairly, humanely, and intelligently than Robert Mugabe. Even when you include all British crimes into account.

With men like George Bush running the powerful countries, and the men like Mugabe running the 3rd world countries.... the common men and women of Earth sure put up with a lot of bullsh!t and pointless death of innocents.

When will Earthlings rise up and take these evil leaders down??

Webname, it is extremely hard to convince bad people to do good things. Just go through some of the posts on this thread and you will be horrified to see how many still live in the past and all the violence and murders in Zimbabwe are of no consequence to them. It boils down to the fact that human life is meaningless. Our male specie has totally lost control in his thirst for dominance, even to the point of murdering his own brothers and sisters. In modern times everywhere where there are slaughters of people, it is due to our males wanting power. Personally, I would love to see more female presidents. The female, Grace Mugabe excluded, is more nurturing, and I am sure under their leadership, the world would more peaceful. Most of us have wonderful wise mothers and and grandmothers, so imagine them in power. They would certainly make sure that everyone in their respective nation is fed and well taken of. Just a thought. Mugabe needs to go. He is a murderer totally out of control and any way that facilitates his departure or demise is welcome. To all his stupid brainwashed supporters on this thread, Mugabe is a dried up scarecrow, a rotten piece of dung that even the dung beetles refuse to roll. Only satan is waiting for him.

why don't the USA and EU refuse to recognize Zimbabwe as a legal state and in addition to refuse to recognize all countries who do. They should severe all diplomatic, aid and trade links and let these banana republics all fall to pieces. Then they can walk in and just take what they want anyway. Why waste time with these ignorant savages.

Because its only the government that are ignorant savages. The people are the ones that suffer. We've seen here clearly the people want a chnage of government, and the US and EU dont want to harm the people as they are suffering enough already under Mugabe's missmanagement. So taking out aid etc isnt really an option.

Indy, the government are Zimbabweans voted in by Zimbabweans so to say they are ignorant savages is really saying ALL Zimbabweans are that. No respect as usual from you - again i expose your racist attitude.

Kube, you really are stupid, I think you need to look up the definition of the word "only". Its pretty basic english for some, but for you its obviously a struggle. Talk about trying to turn my words around. My words were quite clear and precise. Obviously a little difficult for you though. And the fact I think the only (there you go again - look it up!) the Zimbabwe government (and not the people) are savages, is not based on the colour of their skin, but on the way they treat their own people, murder, rape, torture. On other defenseless black people. It saddens me to see people treated this way. The government is there to serve the people, not the other way around. You however seem quite happy to see your fellow country men, your brothers and sisters being beaten and raped and murdered. Sorry to tell you, but this is the reason why I am here, to raise the profile of what is happening to the average Zimbabwean on the street that isnt being heard. And mean while you're wrapped up safe and warm in New Zealand. Must be pretty tough over there for you, especially with all those homosexuals you're so scared off. Can I get you a blanket for the cold? PS dont drop the soap!

and Kube, last time I checked, more people voted against the government, not for them. In case you missed it.

you bet...they voted for President Morgan T not for the murderous hoodlum mugabe and his band of marauding thugs!!

Indie, if Mugabe is so hated by his own people and most of the people have voted for the mdc......how on earth can the mdc followers get killed,raped,starved and torched when they are the MAJORITY! Does not make sense again. So WHO is lying?

LOL Kuba you are so simple. What would you do if some guys with guns came to torch your house and rape your wife? Beat them up with a stick?

Kube, YOu are the one who does not make sense. Based on your logic, you could say that South African blacks wanted apartheid all those years...They were the majority, they were killed, tortured, beaten etc. by a government that refused their appeals for democracy (that is until 1994). The difference is, the apartheid regime finally relented to the demands of the majority....will Mguabe?

Kube, you know that Zimbabweans are known for being a peaceful people. It's not in their nature to fight back. Mugabe and his thugs are the exception to a population that should otherwise be able to live peacefully amongst a government of their own choice.

Oh, I forgot to mention Kube.....Mugabe is the one with the guns...so rising up against the government would be suicide.

Of course there will be the ghouls who support violence and intimidation to secure an evil end.For you I can only say "here stand the fools who lavished praise on a fake."The misery that will be the fate of all decent Zimbabweans and her neighbours will not go unheard or unchecked in the world.

Gershom Ndhlovu - a great open letter to the AU. Well done.

It is an absolute tradgedy that many people have died already and that those brave men and women of Zimbabwe who have suffered so much simply for trying to exercise their basic right to vote will now be denied that opportunity.

I think that Tsvangerai has erred by pulling out. Mugabe was is a lose-lose situation as any election victory by him would have been discredited by his actions before the poll. Nevertheless, I can understand the MDC not wishing to condemn hundreds more to death or mutilation knowing full well that no result would prise the power away from Mugabe and his thugs. It will now take firm outside intervention or internal revolt or both.

Mugabe must know at least that he lost the last election in which he contested the position of President. That much is on the public record, so he is forever going to be an tarred with the brush of illegitimacy.

What now? Can we expect anything concrete from SADC/AU/Mbeki? Doubtful. Will the Zim economy continue its freefall? Without doubt - to the extent that it can go any lower.

Given the situation with the MDC controlling the House of Assembly, I wouldn't be surprised if Mugabe suspends the parliament indefinitely and decides to rule by Presidential decree. It is even possible that he may decide to outlaw all opposition parties and declare a revolutionary one party state. That will be a real poser for Jacob Zuma to try and solve.

Under the circumstances, nobody can blame the MDC Tsvangirai from withdrawing from the Presidential rerun. The conditions in the country and for his supporters had become unbearable. Unfortunately most stake holders (army, police, CIO, new black farmers, Zanu-pf cronies) never bought into his candidancy nor felt that he had a right to excercise his right as a candidate.

Presidents Mbeki, Chissano, and Kaunda had appealed to him to consider government of national unity, but Tsvangirai could not buy into it. GNU is hard to swallow if you already own round one! Tsvangirai needs to sell his messege to his fellow SADC leaders in order to get a chance to run! SADC leaders had a problem with his free spirit and his love for the western world, especially a vowed enemy of Zimbabwe, UK gov't. Although I do not agree with him on most issues, his was a campaign of courage and possible change in Zimbabwe.

phiri, do I detect a change of tack here mate. There appears to be a concilliatory note coming from you finally realizing mugabe to be the monster we all know him to be. If not, pardon my misreading of your post.

Phiri, couldnt agree more. The MDC was harrassed to breaking point. And its unfair to ask people to vote for you if that vote could cost you your life. Tis a shame. I just hope that Mugabe doesnt go through and "clense" the country of MDC supporters now.

Indy, lets all hope that the mdc should compete in the British elections now - they belong there!

Why!? they're Zimbabweans. Such a stupid comment. But you're right, their supporters would get a chance to vote freely and not get murdered for the box they tick in the British system. Its a whole new world isnt it! PS be careful not to vote for John Key, I hear Helen can get a bit nasty with that one! (and you wouldnt like Helen when shes angry!) Oh Poor Kube! He must really be finding it hard in New Zealand.

I had to read that about five times, for the most part Phiri I agree with you.

Phiri - from my reading of the situation the problem of forming a GNU lies primarily with Mugabe's unwillingness to negotiate in any meaningful fashion. It is simply not in his nature to compromise or share power. For any GNU to be formed, Mugabe will have to be removed.

I agree with you that Tsvangirai is also part of the problem in that he is not a charismatic or decisive leader, nor for that matter is he a good public speaker. Nevertheless, he has moral and personal courage in buckets, and the situation very much calls for such a person.

Has Tsvangirai successfully managed to prove to the SADC leaders that he is not a puppet of the West? How does one disprove something for which no proof has ever been offered in the first place; and which people will either believe or disbelieve as a matter of faith rather than rational thought?

Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai is a real leader. And he is right by pulling out. It is not worth the lives. One thing I know is that the world is watching Zimbawe leadership now. I feel that Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai did his job. He put the word out about the leadership in Zimbabwe. Thank you for your support of your people.

A real leader...

My Blog AT: http://bravenewfilms.org/profiles/220528-walk411

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

Chloe, this is a dating service for the likes of Mugabe and Mbeki only.

kjrs, mind yourself. Chloe sounds like a most sophisticated Internet robot to me and is most likely hosted on a domain in Eastern Europe. As much as you and I lock horns on these threads, I'd hate for your heart to be ensnared in a relationship no more meaningful than binary ones and zeroes. ;-)

Guidance, everytime.

Thanks for the guidance, Selector. I am very much aware of the binary numeral system used by most of the modern computers and there is no chance of me being snared by such rubbish. I have better fish to fry. Thanks anyway.

MUGABE the 'murderer-thief-rapist' now because of the withfrawal of TRANSVIGGARAI can claim another election victory after MUGABE and his 'thugs' abuse/beat/maim/kill any opposition!!! Perhaps JIMMY'afraid-of-wabbits-i-am'CARTER can certify this election thugdom by the swine-dictator MUGABE like this 'IDJIT'FRIEND-OF-DICTATORS has done for CASTRO or fatty CHAVEZ??? IT IS SO-O-O-O NICE WHEN A NOBEL-PRIZEWINNER IS SUCH A LEFTY' A-HOLE AND SO UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE!!!

The SADC is comprised of chickens with the exception of the Zambian President Mwanawasa and the Senegalese president Wade. As the Zimbabwean situation totally stalled under the South African pansy, Mbeki's tenure and is now in a coup mode, the SADC should push for new leadership, someone with balls. Let Mugabe go ahead with his monkey elections but I hope the world leaders including African, Russian and those who have supported him before, never recognize his government that has unfairly and brutally forced itself on the people. Right now Mugabe is on his high horse thinking he is very powerful but the African Union, United Nations, and the European Union, will bring him down some notches when they are called upon to now totally isolate him with wider sanctions. Already those African leaders with muscle have voiced their disgust at him and they could stabilize the situation in Zimbabwe if some of them were not so gutless. I loud Mr Tsvangirai for pulling out of the elections. If by pulling out means he has prevented even just one more death of his supporters by Mugabe, he is a giant.

Well, this is my first visit to this site, and I am appalled at the hatred and racist comments that it contains.

I am from the UK, so I realise that those with bitter, twisted, and closed minds will automatically reject my comments. Nevertheless:

1. Those who suggest the UK has colonial intentions should remember that the UK was - encouraged by many of my generation - in the forefront of the sanctions against Ian Smith. Additionally many members of the present UK government were deeply involved in the fight against the apartheid regime of South Africa. It is therefore quite wrong to condemn a person merely because of the country of his birth or the colour of his skin.

2. Many wonder why South Africa has done so little to control Mugabe. Nelson Mandela has also been quiet on the issue; yet, when he did speak out - on the eve of his 90th birthday - it was with tears in his eyes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7474561.stm .

Perhaps Nelson Mandela's emotions were stirred by the admission that the freedoms that Africans won have – in Zimbabwe at least – been suppressed by one of those who was a ‘freedom fighter’. What greater betrayal of Mandela’s and Mbeki’s ideals, than that perpetrated by Mugabe. It is indeed Africa's shame.

3. Mugabe knows that the UK will not intervene. Nor, probably, would any non-African country because of Mugabe’s accusations of ‘imperialism’, and his disgraceful playing of the ‘race’ card. Yet we in Europe have faced the same sort of tyranny, with Hitler, and then the Balkan genocides. Consider the parallels. Hitler's brownshirts bullying and cowing the German population, the 'identification' of scapegoats for the county's ills, and confiscation of 'non-aryan' property, etc. With Hitler appeasement failed, and millions died as a consequence of his racist policies. With Serbia, western public opinion finally forced Governments to act. It is said that the lesson of history is that lesson is not learned. So when I read and see the suffering of Zimbabwe’s people, I wonder – and despair – of the inactivity of its neighbours.

4. It is also said that 'For evil to succeed, good men need do nothing'. Thus do the good people of Mugabe’s neighbours encourage his tyranny. It is not worthy of them.