In following the recent events of Zimbabwe's evolution - or dissolution to be precise - I've come to a few conclusions:

1. Africa's leaders - especially those within the SADC - are so frozen in time that the only thing of relevance is freedom from colonial rule. The complete destruction of a proud and once prosperous neighbour is less important than the fact that Mugabe won "freedom" for his people. A Zimbabwean friend told me of a comment made by one of his friends remaining in Zimbabwe. "If this is freedom, please return me to slavery." Of course, for the elite - such as Thabo Mbeki (who refused to acknowledge either HIV or crime as problems in SA) - this is shocking. "If they can't eat bread, let them eat cake!" Sound familiar? We can only pray that we don't see the guillotine.

2. Democracy is desirable only to the person outside the corridors of power. Once the person is in power, democracy is a terrible inconvenience. This is particularly true of nations that have been ruled by "freedom politics." India has to cope with the burden of the Nehru family 61 years after independence (Nehru's grand daughter-in-law is the head of the ruling Congress party.) Zimababwe has been broken under 28 years of the tyranny of 'freedom'. South Africa will blissfully continue to believe that the ANC is its only hope. All the while the so called 'liberators' simply loot the coffers either overtly (like Mugabe) or through deception (Arms deal, travelgate, etc.)

3. Political leadership the world over is more about convenience and expediency and less about vision, values and conviction. However, in the first world, there is a measure of focus on civic standards and a minimum standard of living for its people. There is a fundamental belief in the value of public discipline and public spirit. Above all, there is a rooted belief in the freedom of the individual within the context of a society. In the third world, there seems to be no such thinking. It seems to be a case of "let me make my hay and feather my nest while the political sun shines." And the public cares little in the beginning when they can do something in the beginning, and when they realize the problem it's too late.

4. Africa as a region is simultaneously so rich (in resources) and so poor (in capability and political maturity) that conventional concepts of democracy might actually delay its evolution and thereby prolong its current agony. In any case none of its current leaders have shown even the will, let alone the statesmanship, to unite Africa. What it needs is someone like the Iron Chancellor - Otto von Bismarck - with perhaps some modifications to suit the environment and the times.

Sometimes i wonder if the UN is really that powerful or influential when coming to the African agenda, especially Zimbabwe. To me they're as powerful as me, the man on the street. What they'll do is add more noise to the chorus with no action whatsoever and President Mugabe will just look the other way, besides he got his SADC 'brothers' on his side and I bet President Mbeki will surely oppose any tough stance the UN might want to take....but we shall wait i guess

Dear all, In fact all of them SADC, AU, and UN leaders are Insensitive, sadistic mugs of this century. They swimm in huge salaries and allowances but have failed miserably. They have one closed door meeting after another but achieve nothing. THE UN SHOULD BE DISBANDED!!!!!! The list of failures is too long, Somalia, Darfur, Kenya, Congo DRC, Iraq, Afghastan and God knows who next. Poverty levels are on the rise in the World. You cannot watch a lunatic killing people and you do nothing under the guise of non-interference in internal affairs. IF the UN cannot protect human life on earth then I dont know why they are there! China, we know you have armed Mugabe to the teeth, you are failing to speak out and meanwhile you are busy ripping off the entire continent, CHINA SPEAK OUT OVER ZIMBABWE!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN TOO QUIET. AAnd Mbeki is a disgrace, the sooner he is kicked out from that position the better for the world but in fact much better for the SADC region and RSA

Please Un do something I abeg. I am a middle aged woman and have been in Zimbabwe since Mugabe was put to power, I have lives deterirating by the day under rule. He has stollen many elections and please at the moment we have a crisis our relative are being killed at night by the Government sponsored thugs becuase of voting for the opposition. MDC won please assist sdo that the hraming and killing of poeple stops . Please Head of UN I Beg as a mother in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is suffring, Tambo Mbeki is a sell out and all africans knows is real face. Mbeki we hope you could be like Mandela, Shame on you and Mugabe, you to old and free your people, natural in the next 6 month will take care of you and you will end like Mobutu from Congo DRC. afrohollywoodtv.com. I am not from Zimbabwe but I feel so sorry that once again the world turn ablind eye on the suffring of African. Where is this moron of Bush to save democracy like He did in Irak....aaaah Kienge Omar JL. Bring them on

It is obvious that Zimbabweans want a democracy in their country. The MDC recorded just under 50% of the votes, obviously not precise since the actual results are being kept hidden for who knows how long. I would say they will be kept hidden aslong as Mugabe wants them to be. He is the "leader" of "his" country. He sure does show great allegiance to "his" country albeit scamming "his" people of their chance to speak up. Dont worry everyone else, once Mugabe has torched and battered "his" country and people the results will be announced of the election...no runoff necessary. Mugabe wants "his" people to revolt, against him. Until they do, he will reign. And, I think we all know what will happen if the citizens revolt. Zimbabwe may be a "bottom billion" country, but they deserve our help. Without international help, this home for so many will become wasteland. The people of Zimbabwe can only do so much, they're not a democracy yet....but with some help, they can too be on the right track too a prosper nation. I sincerely hope the talks with the UN will shed a glimpse of hope on the people of Zimbabwe.

Stephen, Dont be fooled by what your western media is saying. There are two sides to a story and Zimbabwe IS a democratic state. Yesterday the MDC called for a general strike and on one turned up. What a joke! If the people of Zimbabwe really wanted change they would have come out in there millions. Mugabe's so called 'thugs' would not be able to stop millions on the street. Not everybody in Zimbabwe thinks Mugabe is wrong you know.

If Mugabe had won the elections, why this long delay in announcing the results?

The MDC can't protect people's lives and property and nothing is gained by joining a strike and then being beaten or shot to death. The people know that neither South Africa nor the SADC will lift a finger to help them if it means going against Mugabe.

28 years ago, Zimbabwe was the jewel of Africa. Today it's condition is too bleak to describe. I have friends - black, local Shona friends - who told me how the so-called war vets (kids who couldn't have been born then) behaved with them.

Western media? People don't always need the media to see everything in front of them.