Nairalanders,

Please kindly suggest way out of the political comedy tat may soon turn epic as it unfoldsin Zimbabwe. What roles are expected of AU, what changes are likely from the Mbeki's lack lustre diplomacy in time past particularly bearing in mind the fact that Mandela outrightly condemned the melodrama.

Sixth term for an aged old fellow, medically experts comments are required on his ability to lead a nation that used to be global food basket in sub saharan Africa. What are the economic implications of this personal or national misconception.

What efforts can we make as Nigeria (FG), Nigerians and Nairalanders in ameliorating the plight of a struggling Zimbabwean and strengthen the opposition.

we hope he dies

i keep asking myself why the AU is taking so much time on deliberating upon the issue, and why Thabo Mbeki seeks diplomacy behind closed doors. The only answer i have been able to come up with after watching a lot of the violence being meted out to Zimbabweans by fellow Zimbabweans (some of them know each other personally) is that it would not be easy to simply remove the head especially when the head (Mugabe) has such a large fanatical following. It may be better in Zim's posterity to have some sort of dialogue and maybe pressure him somehow into becoming convinced that his time is up. But by the same token it should be made clear to Mugabe and the ZANU-PF forces that no more violence should be meted out. It is absolutely uncalled for and unnecessary.

AU leaders are puppets. The West speaks and thinks for them.

the truth of the matter is that heads must roll for peace to come. if we seat here and think dialogue as a solution on the side of mugabe, that will be another day dream.
from the time of John the baptist, the word suffereth violence and only the voilent taketh it by force.
this force will only come from the west.
take nigeria for instance - the self acclaimed giant of africa, what qualifications does our president have to stand up against mugabe? they are birds of the same feather. they both came in through the back doors. can kettle call pot black? for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
the only and one solution to this matter is the powerful instruction of the west which will read - quit or face the music.
it will serve zimbabwe better if 5000 decides to die one day and peace will return instead of dying 10 everyday without hope of getting to where they are going in the next ten years.
to me bush, gordon and sarkozy are the solution because they back their words with action.
mugabe will be the last president to hand over while alive.

I feel the Abacha style Nigeria experienced is about to recur in Zimbabwe: history has a way of repeating itself!