An interesting link here, that shows just how the people of Zimbabwe have been betrayed by the AU. http://www.2shared.com/file/3543901/d52eb63e/Pargue36_equi.html. By condoning this, the AU has also betrayed - and shown contempt for - the people of Africa.

The only way we will see change is to penalise Mugabe's allies, particularly South Africa (blame Mugabe's brother-in-law Thabo Mbeki). The 2010 World Cup should rather be held in England. How can Mbeki remain impartial towards his own brother-in-law? If Africa won't sort out this African problem then I call for sanctions to be imposed by the UN and the West on all countries with close ties with Zimbabwe i.e. South Africa and China (We should boycott the Beijing Olympics). Stop the killing! Stop the maiming and mutilation! No more abuse and human rights violations from this arrogant murderer and dictator and his brothers in arms. If this were Ian Smith, or for that matter any white ruler, would the world allow this behavior to continue? Where are the Anti-Apartheid activists now? Is this behaviour any better than apartheid? He is a racist and a murderer. Let the Hague deal with him. Countries like Zambia, Kenya and Botswana should be rewarded for speaking out against this monster. If Africa and the world at large can "interfere" in South Africa to bring an end to Apartheid then they can do the same to end this racism and bring about peace and stability in Zimbabwe once more.

I am azimbabwean living in Canada and I just want to thank the President of Botswana for finally not being scared of what the next person will say but worry about the humanity of another human being simply because we are all human. It doesn't matter if you are a president or not. Mugabe just needed some of that cash talk and stop beating about the bush like most leaders are doing most probably because they are as corrupt and love tho dictate like Mugabe. Thanks to Kenya, Nigeria,Zambia, Liberia and all te other countries that understand what we are going through in Zimbabwe for standing up for. This is the beginning of a new Africa Democracy.

Well, You are well placed there. Stay there. Incase you come back don't think we will be after you. You Decided to abadon your land. There are others there who are afraid to come back to Africa, they know what they did. I know one personally from my region. Mother Nature will catch up on you. The countries you mentioned all have lazy people. Do not make us say the whole truth. Lazy you because you cannot work Africas's Landscapes. We need food security by us. Not man-made starvation you don't understand.

Great piece From an outsiders perspective Botswana seems like one of the most progressive countries in SADC Let's hope the good governance and development spreads

Zimbabwe wake up to the propanganda coming from the Western Media. Its is amazing how if Zimbabwe is the least happiest nation on earth the West are so determined to liberate us, what for? Darfur and Somalia have had problems for more than 15 years how come the UN, US AND UK do not send a peace keeping force, but they want to send one to Zimbabwe, which is not even at war. Now they are trying to organise an uprising to destabilise Zimbabwe and cause untold suffering.

Its nothing more than spoilers, if a nation wants to develop itself without their assistance, that wont be accepted. Why? China is gaining influence and benefitting the black nations which have never enjoyed thier freedom, because the Europeans have made it impossible for us to enjoy it, except to only trust the White man. William Lynch in 1712, a former Slave owner taught that method of controll. This wont work in Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai is not a leader and therefore, the west bet on the three legged horse, and now they are trying all means to install him President. The Zimbabweans will not accept that for this is not the US or UK as its our country.

Our resolve is not to be fooled, as who benefits when we fight against each other?

notha4ever-For the sake of argument I will assume your premise is correct and the west bet on a 3-legged horse and that it should now mind its own business. But please tell us under-informed outsiders, what really is going on in Zimbabwe? Why are there media reports about the abuses of Mr Mugabe's government against his own people coming from western media as well as African media? Why is the government denying food aid to the starving? Why were opposition supporters imprisoned? Are your people happy, prosperous and flourishing? Please let us understand what is really going on there.

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

Insults like "stupid" are what make us fight people like you, unless you replace the word with another one. Stupid people don't defend their country by all means. Change your tone please. We have a vast Continent to liberate and it is enough job already.

And Mugabe awoke with a hoof on his throat and he struggled and howled to be free, And tripped on the racks of his English shoes and clawed at his English suits, And crashed down the unlit corridors where his wife has collected her loot,

Screaming “You may not condemn me - there are by-laws and statutes and fines”

But the Devil replied “God’s law trumps that, and by his law you’re mine.” Come, see what you’ve done to your people, see what you’ve done to your land, And then I’ll haul you back into the light, and see if you understand; Then the Devil seized him by his neck and dragged him up into the night And Bob hung limp, for one against one was not his idea of a fight

They spiralled down to a wasteland, and Mugabe sprawled on his face, “Spare me, spare me” he whimpered, “spare me this terrible place”, For he saw charred beams and scattered bricks, filth and ruin and weeds, And through the dawn came children, sifting the dust for seeds.

“Eight years ago” said the Devil, “this place was heavy with maize, There was fruit on the trees and crops in the earth and grass for the cows to graze, It was farmed by those who loved the soil, who knew it and tended it well, And now it’s farmed by cellphone, from the Monomotapa hotel.”

“Racist” screamed Mugabe, “Imperialist, Colonist, Queer! These people are free, that’s down to me and that’s why I rule here!” “Free to do what?” asked the Devil, “to cower and cringe to survive? The farms are going, the work is gone, now only your thugs can thrive, Preying on women and children, feeding on horror and fear, Flying flags of hate and despair that had no business here;

Look at your mindless militias, look in each alien face, Condemned by their own insanity, exiled for life from the race, Watch them go into action, cheer as they take up the fight, Beating up Zimbabweans for the crime of being white, Red-eyed from drink, thick-tongued from drugs, watch them go off on a spree Burning the homes of Africans who dared to be honestly free.”

Mugabe licked his lips and whispered, “All freedom comes at a price,” “Indeed?” said the Devil “And for the record - what was your sacrifice? Did you give blood to the struggle? How many times were you mortared? Or did you play politics in a hotel, and wait till your rivals were slaughtered?

If ever you tasted honour or pain those tastes were long since forgotten, Eclipsed by the flavours of power and greed, the aromas of all that is rotten. Come, Mugabe” and up they flew and soared over country and town And each time they swooped, hunger and horror reached up to pull them down,

And the souls of children streamed past them, and on and up into the light And Mugabe whimpered and twisted, to shield his eyes from the sight

“Sons of despair,” said the Devil “and daughters of desolate selves, It’s the West that gives food to your people, while your cronies are stuffing themselves, The West you despise and prosecute is the innocent’s sponsor and friend, But when your young ‘veterans’ seize the supplies, these fragile lives have to end;”

“I did not know,” croaked Mugabe and the Devil applauded with glee: “Save your lies for Mbeki, they make no impression on me. Now, look at the shuttered factories, look at the overnight queues.” “Blame the British,” Bob stammered, “the whites, the Norwegians, the Jews.”

But the streets sent up a whisper, a whisper as loud as a roar: “The old man who stole three elections - it’s time that we showed him the door!” A scream rose up from the city, a scream rose up from a cell, And the Devil plunged them into the earth and a cameo from hell Of shadowed figures with smiling lips that shone with delight and disdain, Of a body convulsing and wrenching, shaking apart from the pain;

“Applaud your police,” said the Devil, “corrupted beyond repair, And caress the electrodes, the batons and guns, and the innocent tied to the chair.” But as Mugabe stretched out his hand the scene was gone in a flash, And he stared instead at a drive full of Mercs and a house full of money and trash, And then at the gloom of an upstairs room, heavy with malice and lies, Where fat men sat and talked poison, avoiding each others’ eyes:

“Here are your generals,” the Devil hissed, “your ministers, judges and hacks, They have fortunes and forex and farms they can’t farm, it’s only a future they lack, Do they flee for Malaysia , Libya , France with their women and all they can pack? Or do they just turn and remove you, and claim dispensation for that? Look at the wealth that seeps from them, and then hold your nose at the stench Of the paltry crew that cleave to you, the cowards, the fools and the French;

See them plotting and scheming; hear your folly despised, Even your reptiles want you gone - you made them, are you surprised? Now do you know what you are Mugabe, now do you understand? You’re the Lord of the bloated thousand, and King of an empty land.

What gave you most pleasure Mugabe? Which wickedness tasted most sweet? The mass murder of Ndebele? The children with nothing to eat? The whites you had casually butchered? The election results that you changed? Or the war that you fought in the Congo , for diamond commissions arranged?

The perversion of half of the system? The enrichment of those you despise? The limos and money and power? The lies and the lies and the lies?

I ought to admire you Mugabe; you’ve certainly earned your hellfire, And all for small motives, self interest and fear, that aspect I have to admire; Better by far that you never had lived, Robert Gabriel, The world will heal the wounds you’ve left, but I cannot heal you in hell!” Then the Devil’s right hand grabbed Mugabe, and Mugabe he screamed in his fright, And scrabbled and pleaded and whimpered and begged… And awoke to an African night, And sweated and panted and shuddered, calling his aides to his side, Reconstituting his ego, his vanity, evil and pride, But then screamed again, recoiling, from that he could not bear to see: The slogans burning his eyes from the walls and the words… we want to be free! Enough is enough! Zvakwana!! Sokwanele!!

The Devil meandered down Second, and strolled up Samora Machel, “The brave will inherit,” he murmured, “when I have Mugabe in hell: And the dawn will return to Zimbabwe , and children will learn how to smile, Zimbabwe is one of God’s countries… but at least it was mine for a while!”

Zimbabwe wake up to the propanganda coming from the Western Media. Its is amazing how if Zimbabwe is the least happiest nation on earth the West are so determined to liberate us, what for? Darfur and Somalia have had problems for more than 15 years how come the UN, US AND UK do not send a peace keeping forces, but they want to send one to Zimbabwe, which is not even at war. Now they are trying to organise an uprising to destabilise Zimbabwe and cause untold suffering.

Its nothing more than spoilers, if a nation wants to develop itself without their assistance, that wont be accepted. Why? China is gaining influence and benefitting the black nations which have never enjoyed thier freedom, because the Europeans have made it impossible for us to enjoy it, except to only trust the White man. William Lynch in 1712, a former Slave owner taught that method of controll. This wont work in Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai is not a leader and therefore, the west bet on the three legged horse, and now they are trying all means to install him President. The Zimbabweans will not accept that for this is not the US or UK as its our country.

Our resolve is not to be fooled, as who benefits when we fight against each other?

What do we learn from a country like Botswana,it has been a puppet of the west since its birth.We do not need democracy that is used selectively.There is no war in Zimbabwe,wars are in Darfur ,Somalia,Uganda ,Irag and Afghanistan.We are all aware that all the coups that has taken place in Africa and the world were supported even planned by the western imperialists.We are aware of America`s intention to establish a military base in Botswana.All these are signs that Botswana is now in the hands of man who has the British Blood in him so it is not amazing for him to start singing the British and American music.

Zimbabwe is not at war,lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe.For us who fought a bitter liberation struggle we fully understand the behaviour and tactics of a white person.To me the only good white person is a dead one.Leave Zimbabwe alone.Viva Comrade Mugabe for you are a man of convictions never sell Zimbabwe and let me repeat this as said by his excellency Comrade president Robert Gabriel Mugabe,Zimbabwe will never be a colony again.Thank you pres Thabo Mbeki,for your understanding of the imperialists tactics.See what the did to pres Levy Patrick Mwanawasa,the man is fighting for his life because of pressure from the west.Let Britain and America go to hell with their blood money.

My sympathies to the people of Zimbabwe and all those who are near and feel for the people of Z. Even from a very distant land where we "enjoy" some form of democracy, I can feel the frustrations and incredible pain that must be felt by the people who have lost their loved ones, friends because of the atrocities of R. Mugabe. Unfortunately even after the UA met, nothing effective resulted. In fact, this has made matters worse because now Mugabe KNOWS he can get away with it. My prayers go towards the people in pain... and AGAINST the evil that has taken over.

Some people should study the laws of economics and control, because they are unable to learn by default.

Africabynature - uri duzvi. Ndikakuudza nechirungu ungati ndiri 'puppet' - musatanyoko, mhondi yemunhu, iwe na sekuru vako.

African reputation is not at stake just because of one country, Zimbabwe. Nor is it at stake because of Darfur, Sudan or Somalia. African reputation is not at stake because one African leader sides with Mugabe or one African President, like Johnson, speak out about Zimbabwe.

African reputation is entirely based on Africans themselves, not because of one country or whether African leaders becomes follow every word said by the western media or their gov't.

Africa, is redefining itself, apart from the western world. No African want to be told by a Briton what is right or wrong about Zimbabwe.

Remeber, Africa makes it's own rules on what is fair play or not. If you think that the western world will help, or if you say what they want to hear think twice. We had the Rwanda Genocide, no EU or USA helped, Darfur, it is the usual anglo talk...then what...no action, in DRC...No help until Zim/anglo/namibia joined to help. THE WESTERN WORLD IS GOOD FOR NOTHING....

This may sound a bit naive. But I think the reason that the USA has not sent a smart bomb in to hit Mugabe is because they don't feel it is worth the ammunition.

Africa is a lost cause.

They don't want to do things the American way, or the British way, or the Chinese or Japanese way.

They want to do things the African way. And that is what they are doing. Mugabe is the proud beacon of African hope.

Zimbabwe is the future model for an Africa free of the white man Oppression!

If thats the case your way of thinking you should go back to grass huts and hunting! The way you think "you want you cake and eat it too" type of thinking is a flawed way in this day and age as you want to have equal of whites have but you do not want to share.Slowly the world is getting past this in every race and culture and in the long run it will make it equal for all!Might take awhile but this is because of the backwoods think of people like yourself and people around the world that are either white or black, black or white! Most countries are now mixed cultures now days and working together to be proud of ones country and make it a success is the most important thing. A black man is about to become President of the USA if all goes well, and that is the working together i would like to see the whole world made of!

Phiri - surely you are being less than fair to blame the West for doing nothing in Darfur? It is on the public record that all attempts in the UN Security Council to mobilise an international force for the Darfur region were vetoed by China. Sudan is a major supplier of oil to the Peoples Republic of China and China does not in any way want to interrupt that supply. That an international force comprising only of troops from AU member states has been approved took a huge diplomatic effort by the West to get China to agree to that measure. Am I right?

Katz, I'm not entirely blaming the western world about Darfur. I'm only highlighting the fact that even African Union has to prioritize what problems they need to deal with first. Darfur, Somalia and DRC are much bigger problems than Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is largely self-inflicted. Also it is very important to note that the African Union has approached the Western World for help in Solving this problem (Darfur and DRC) and what has been given is more words and accusatory words towards China. African Union has not asked the western world for help on Zimbabwe. The western world thru UK has imposed itself as a mediate on Zimbabwe.

The African Union has a right to tackle problems which they feel has the most urgency. Zimbabwe already has SADC helping what more should the AU be doing? The Western world has been asked to help in Darfur. Katz, you agree with me that words alone from the western world are not enough, otherwise we will have another much bigger Rwanda situation in DRC and Darfur. Katz, why is Zimbabwe the major headline (not that it is not deserved)in all BBC on line websites? Why is the UK ineffective in working with it's former colonies in SADC?

Phiri - you have asked some good questions and I am not pretending to know the answers. I will have a stab at answering your questions with my interpretation of history but I am quite sure that there are many more intelligent people who study these matters and will have a vastly different, and possibly correct, answers to your questions.

Why Zimbabwe, when there are more pressing matters elsewhere in Africa?

I don't agree that Zimbabwe receives more attention than Darfur. I would suggest that a lot more diplomatic effort has gone into the latter. Nevertheless, I agree that for a supposedly minor and unimportant country Zimababwe does receive an awful lot of attention. I suppose that history is littered with examples of supposedly less important matters somehow triggering world shaking events. Why would the assassination of some archduke in a backwater of Europe lead to the First World War? The reason is that it occurred on a 'political tectonic plate'.

Does Zimbabwe sit on a 'political tectonic plate'? I think that to some extent it does. Mugabe represents the old order of liberation politics. His instincts are also firmly rooted in state control and marxist ideology. He is also one the Big Men of Africa; who hopefully will soon be replaced by accountable and replaceable elected heads of state. Zimbabwe sits amongst its SADC neighbours where a fledgling economic and political renaissance has begun to take hold. The Zimbabwe of Robert Mugabe is an anathema to this and serves to hold back regional development.

Sure, there are examples elsewhere in Africa where the Big Men have been completely intolerant of opposition (at least Mugabe pays lip service to it) but few have caught the world's attention like Zimbabwe. The reasons for this are attributable to the prolonged Second Chimurenga, where the world for once was unified in the common objective of removing white control of Zimbabwe. It is not often in world affairs that such a clear cut agreement is reached. Furthermore, upon gaining independence, Zimbabwe with its once sophisticated and prosperous economy served as a powerful example to apartheid South Africa that their politics of exclusion was not the only way forward. Zimbabwe became a darling of the West.This meant that when Mugabe set about destroying all that was good in the interests preserving his power, the disappointment was felt all the more keenly.

Why does Britain not get along with it's former colonies?

I am not sure that this is so. I am not aware that the press in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria etc are markedly anglo-phobic. One thing that I am convinced of is that the UK has no desire or intention to re-colonise Zimbabwe. I will let you have some personal information on me - I invest in mining projects and have participated in the development of mines in Asia, Africa and Australia. I know a little bit about mineral resources and, in my view, Zimbabwe is relatively poorly endowed in mineral resources. There are many many other countries in this global village which are far more atractive from a geological point of view. Does the UK want the farms of Zimbabwe? I don't think so, the European Union spends enough on its own farms to worry about acquiring farms elsewhere.

I think that the angst directed at the UK by Mugabe is nothing more than political expediency.

Apologies for the long winded reply - its difficult to answers the questions you have raised in twenty or less words.

Katz, you answered the questions as best as you could. I do not intend to impose or require answers to every question posed by me or should others. I feel the questions can provide a measure of logical debate on this website.

Most people in Southern Africa are not anglophobic and that includes myself. However, one cannot ignore the colonial rule in Southern Africa by the British and what most of us experienced first hand with them.

I feel that most interactions I have had with white anglos in Southern Africa have not been entirely honest. The "Lobengual-Rhodes" effect still rules the white anglo community in Southern Africa. Most, native Africans do not feel they can trust any agreement with Anglos. Does that make me anglophobic..I don't think so.

Phiri - one last word before we move onto other subjects. You say that the 'Lobengula - Rhodes' effects still rules many Anglos in Southern Africa and that they are less than honest. Are you absolutely certain that this hang-over from the colonial past is not also still ruling the thinking of many indigenes and makning them see non-existent ill-will or malice by Anglos towards Africa?

I think that you will find that in the minds of most people in the West (your experience in NZ may confirm this) Africa barely rates a mention until such time as the Mugabes of this world reinforce their negative perceptions of the continent. In other words their attitude varies between indifference to disgust at the appalling treatment of Africans by their own leaders. On the other hand the Anglophobes that frequent this website appear to think that there is this titanic all important clash of cultures between Africa and the West. That attitude is not only dead wrong but it diverts Africa's energy away from what it has to do - namely pull itself out of the mire. No one else is going to do it for them.

Do you have a "COLONIAL past" ?? In 1939 you guys fought the Germans to stop them making you guys into a Germany colony. If its so nice why did you not become a colony? Do you think it Ok that the Jews go and on and on .... about Hitler? Would you advise the sons of Jacob to stop having a NAZI hang over ...after all this happened more than 60 years ago but us in Zimbabwe are still trying to escape from the crutches of you know who. You are so insensitive and patronising ... GIVE US A BREAK!! Why cant you let go of Africa? You let go of China and India. I remember Indians dying from famines in the 1950s and the Indians found Indian solutions to their problems. They even carried/moved soil in dishes when they were building dams. Till Africans are left to do their own thing, Africa wont move forwrd. I cant help concluding that Europeans are AFRAID of the rising of Africa's sun. WHY is it the European meddles and interferes and has an opinion on everything Africa. Sometime ago l was teaching Maths in a Catholic school in KENT, UK, and l asked my year9 kids what they would like to do when they grow up, quite a number said they would like to be missionaries in Africa. BOY! They take it with their mother's milk, l thought to myself. Why would a kid l am teaching thinks the village that raised up his teacher needs to be missionaried by his kind.

Do you have a "COLONIAL past" ?? In 1939 you guys fought the Germans to stop them making you guys into a Germany colony. If its so nice why did you not become a colony? Do you think it Ok that the Jews go and on and on .... about Hitler? Would you advise the sons of Jacob to stop having a NAZI hang over ...after all this happened more than 60 years ago but us in Zimbabwe are still trying to escape from the crutches of you know who. You are so insensitive and patronising ... GIVE US A BREAK!! Why cant you let go of Africa? You let go of China and India. I remember Indians dying from famines in the 1950s and the Indians found Indian solutions to their problems. They even carried/moved soil in dishes when they were building dams. Till Africans are left to do their own thing, Africa wont move forwrd. I cant help concluding that Europeans are AFRAID of the rising of Africa's sun. WHY is it the European meddles and interferes and has an opinion on everything Africa. Sometime ago l was teaching Maths in a Catholic school in KENT, UK, and l asked my year9 kids what they would like to do when they grow up, quite a number said they would like to be missionaries in Africa. BOY! They take it with their mother's milk, l thought to myself. Why would a kid l am teaching thinks the village that raised up his teacher needs to be missionaried by his kind.

Do you have a "COLONIAL past" ?? In 1939 you guys fought the Germans to stop them making you guys into a Germany colony. If its so nice why did you not become a colony? Do you think it Ok that the Jews go and on and on .... about Hitler? Would you advise the sons of Jacob to stop having a NAZI hang over ...after all this happened more than 60 years ago but us in Zimbabwe are still trying to escape from the crutches of you know who. You are so insensitive and patronising ... GIVE US A BREAK!! Why cant you let go of Africa? You let go of China and India. I remember Indians dying from famines in the 1950s and the Indians found Indian solutions to their problems. They even carried/moved soil in dishes when they were building dams. Till Africans are left to do their own thing, Africa wont move forwrd. I cant help concluding that Europeans are AFRAID of the rising of Africa's sun. WHY is it the European meddles and interferes and has an opinion on everything Africa. Sometime ago l was teaching Maths in a Catholic school in KENT, UK, and l asked my year9 kids what they would like to do when they grow up, quite a number said they would like to be missionaries in Africa. BOY! They take it with their mother's milk, l thought to myself. Why would a kid l am teaching thinks the village that raised up his teacher needs to be missionaried by his kind.

Katz, I agree that Africa does not register much in the western world, except when there is a situation like what is going on Zimbabwe. But, that is what the problem is! And this focus on problems only blinds a whole lot of people in the west of the changes taking place in Africa. Most of African countries (54) registered economic growth of at least 4.5%. This is much higher with the rest of the world. More African countries had democratic elections than in the Middle East or East Asia for example. Even if Africa had 10 bad apples, there still would be 80% doing well or fine!When Africans hear from the west, it is usual about problems..NGO’s focus exclusively on problems..which is terrible. China begun to see things differently in Africa, maybe based on their own rise from poverty to first world status.

Is there a culture clash between the West and Africa? I don’t think so. There is a historical and culture difference however. Both the west and Africa have stereotypes of one another. The impact of colonialism, especially in Southern Africa shapes the view of many in the region. Can this be used to cover up bad governance? Yes it can. Can former colonialists like the UK try to use force in Zimbabwe, like they did during colonial times, yes. Is UK’s fixation on Zimbabwe somewhat a colonial outlook? yes.

yo you guys should understand that these news are written with sem people who likes to dirty our continent with only war news.this should stop NOW.cant you at least write something else than just bad things????i wonder why u potray Mugabe like he is doing that without the white man's assistance, i mean i imagined AMERIKA would have to close their embassy in zimbabwe after being chased away but look up to now the embassy is open,cant you smell fishhy things are going on without us knowing???? you whites should stop now,i mean it now bloody traitors!if t wasnt for you who tought Mugabe to be like that???? but remember you white"for those who hide behind the force image of man, shall stand before God"

As a Zanu PF Supporter I'm afraid to say when we are at meetings that we should dig wells /drill boreholes and use irrigation as we've got Chinese tractors and agriculture certificates from China, where we trained the Agriculture and farming things. We know that there is drought in Africa, but why can't we just do what the whites did? It is not all about rain falling.

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

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

l think this whole issue has to be left for zimbabweans to solve. Advice is acceptable but has to be objective advice. The opposition leaders in zimbabwe have their weakneses. After the 29th March Elections the run off date was advised and the opposition leaders saw it fit to abandon their supporters and forced themselves to live in exile only until 2 weeks from date of runoff. Now they complain that the ground was not even,the question is how? This is an open invitation to my brother in Botswana and anyone else across the continent to pay us a visit and receive the warm welcome of the people of Zimbabwe. Not everyone in Zimbabwe is a polititian and lets leave politics to politians. The problem we face as Zimbabweans is that the outside media has turned themselves into opposition polititians of Zimbabwe and this has negatively impacted on our economy with the help of the US led sunctions. If there are people out there who really have Zimbabweans at heart please stop demonising our country and our President but infact help the oppostion understand the politics and history of the Continent. We need a home grown political party which is pan African and seeks help from around the continent and not the West and Europe.

“Give me control of the economics of a Country; and I care not who makes her laws” ………………………………… Amsel Rothschield

In the human family there are three psychological types of personalities and most Military generals know of them It is vital to them prior to the physical or financial occupation of a Country or Territory. These three Types are (1) The warrior class ---(NOTE Some military personnel could be included)They by nature will defend their family, friends, and Country to the death conclusion not very easily defeated uncontrollable (2) The nurturing class ---They will bend and go to great lengths to hold their family and country together ---Conclusion-------(compromisers) not trustworthy (c) The opportunist class-----They are driven only by self interest ,(Controllable) makes excellent surrogates They most often have no scruples and will betray friends, family and country for their own personal gains A predatorily Country will always seek out and collaborate with the their targeted country’s opportunistic class, whom they usually use to destabilize the target Country or state. prior to its financial or physical attack on that country. The Opportunistic class will usually serve their Imperial master interest and themselves. They have no interest in serving the greater good of the state or Country and the citizens in it Always be cognizant to the fact that a countries and its peoples interest are always diametrically apposite and is always in conflict with outside Imperial Interest The most diminutive (small) of birds will fight for her young ones in her nest against the owl, all is the fear and nothing is the love… Macbeth

May Mother Africa Protect Mugabe…

Ok good people...It looks like everyone has his or her interpretation of the situation in Zimbabwe...Now the question is what realy is happening in Zimbabwe..Are these media reports true?If they are,why does it take long for the world to act?or we are waiting for the worst...?

hey folks, First off, 'the west', don't knock 'c1457244', he really believes, and he has a valid reason for believing it... while it may not be fair to many in Africa, it is valid to suppose that if that is the sort of 'Democracy' they want, and it is home grown, as in African, then who are we to disagree... The Romans did their best to Romanize our ancestors, and in Britain it took in some areas, but scratch the surface and the old pre roman Britain is there in our culture... (I study Prehistory in Britain) Phiri and Katz, that question and answer session between your selves has to be the most enlightening I have read in many many days... I have been following these comments for 4 years now... and I appreciate the level of civility that you two have exhibited to have that discussion... if you two are on any blog together, commenting, I would surly love to be a fly on the wall... I learnt more from that brief session than I have in a long time...

and I sincerely do want to understand the African viewpoint, and have subjected myself to hours of reading these posts... and not surprising have had a hard time decyphering what the African ideas are... other than a supreme loyalty and desire for the Heroic Big Man, in the mold of Cmd Bob; I am not sure what else unites the Africans, other than a deep seated anxiety that the whites (or west) wants to re colonize Africa... which translated means that there is an ongoing mindset that Africa is at war with the Whites... and any 'help' offered is seen as an attempt to take over the souls and continent of Africa... if someone can detail the 'African' solution to the problems of poverty, hunger, tribal warfare, and the other ills that beset the continent, then please feel free to add to this thread... EDUCATE ME PLEASE!! I have an open mind, FILL IT!!

Canadians run their own affairs. The USA runs their own affairs and so do the asians and the Europeans. Let the white race stop meddling in African matters and leave African affairs to Africans. Otherwise Africans are going to remain at the TADPOLE stage for ever. Some one does not want or is affraid of the frog stage of Africans that he is interferring with their development

So stop complaining about the Sanctions then! If you want the west to leave you alone, then by not lending you money (this includes china!) they are! You are so dumb!

Canadians run their own affairs. The USA runs their own affairs and so do the asians and the Europeans. Let the white race stop meddling in African matters and leave African affairs to Africans. Otherwise Africans are going to remain at the TADPOLE stage for ever. Some one does not want or is affraid of the frog stage of Africans that he is interferring with their development

D.J in Canada, I appreciate your effort to try and understand what the African "perspective" is, if in fact it is one. What I can say unequivocal is that issues may seem to be black and white, but in reality it is not about race, but culture, respect for a different African opinion and soverignity,....and historical events between white colonialism and natives of Africa.

Homegrown African democracy means that when the elders of Africa (African heads of state)agree on a course of action, Anglo-white Britain should not try to invalidate what Africans themselves have agreed with each other. But, alas...anglo UK works to undermine what the majority Africans have already agreed. For example Millibrand (?) has no right to go to South Africa and publicly disagree with an elected President Mbeki, and then put his views out...That is extremely disrespectful and embarrassing. It simply comes across as typical anglo arrogancy!

There are issues between white anglos in Southern Africa with the African Majority..Most of it is related to anglo behaviour during colonial times. UK is loosing Southern Africa as a friend!

Phiri on one of your posts you wondered why so much attention was being paid to Zimbabwe as opposed to Darfur and others. Let me ask you one question. Suppose you know of a very popular good rich man who fed his family well and one day you meet him now dressed up all in rags, what is the first thing that you would ask? "What happened?" Right? People are shocked at the state of the economy of Zimbabwe to day, the violence, beatings and killings by Mugabe. No one expected Mugabe to turn around and kill his own people. Not after that hard won struggle for independence. What is the peoples' reward for that struggle? To end up with your limbs severed, have your family members burned alive in front of you, to hit the bush once more but this time fleeing to someone else' land or starve back home, and all this caused by your own leader who is supposed to be the custodian of your country? Zimbabwe was known World wide for its stability, so that is the reason many of us are asking "What the hell happened?" Most of us have of course come to know the answer to that. Who else but the leader of Zimbabwe, Mugabe.

Kjrs120, you do have a point! Riches to rags is always going to generate attention in any part of the world. My argument has always been that UK, especially BBC has gone overboard on Zimbabwe. When that happens, Mugabe wins because he gets sympathy from the rest of Africa. And more important you have to justify why Zimbabwe has to receive more attention than Sudan, DRC, Somalia etc. I do not see a good justification from BBC or other anglo media outlets, and as a result most Africans interpret that to mean that this is more of a racial issue, than what Mugabe has done to his fellow african countrymen. For sure Mugabe has/is ruining Zimbabwe!! Now everybody knows that he will not allow any democratic elections in Zimbabwe again.

Phiri, I do not know about the BBC being fixated on Mugabe, but I do know that in my country news on Zimbabwe appears on our major networks only when something catastrophic has happened like all the beatings etc. We also have chances to view other parts of Africa and the world at large where ever there is strife. Most people here do not even care or know where Zimbabwe is. They just know Mugabe as 'one of the guys who are murdering his own people in Africa.' Phiri, the future of Zimbabwe, whether or not you attain democratic independence, or you continue to spiral backwards, is all in your hands as a people. As an elder statesman, Mugabe should be the one all these younger African leaders go to for advice but instead his statesmanship has been stripped and has to abide by the resolutions that other leaders pass on him. There is no self respect in that. So Phiri, just keep trying to make things better.

Krjs120, you may choose to deny that the UK is fixated on Zimbabwe, but the evidence is there and BBC always has made Zimbabwe the headline. Even when AU/UN forces were killed in Darfur, Sudan. I do not know where your country is. Could you be more specific!