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World's leaders raise pressure on Mugabe
Last updated at 15:07pm on 15.03.07Britain, America and African nations today rounded on Zimbabwe in a bid to crack down on the escalating violence.
The British government called on European countries to impose sanctions to try to halt President Robert Mugabe's attacks on opposition leaders.
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Morgan Tsvangirai outside court on Tuesday. He and his supporters were said to have been tortured in custody. Inset: Robert Mugabe
America also confronted Zimbabwe, saying it was considering extending a travel ban and asset freeze.
The warnings come as the African Union's chairman John Kufuor, the president of Ghana, told a London conference that the turmoil in Zimbabwe was "very embarrassing".
His comments came as international condemnation of Zimbabwe grew - with pressure on neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa, to do more to end the crisis.
Zimbabwean police broke up a weekend prayer rally and savagely beat members of the country's political opposition, including the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, during and after arrests.
Mr Kufuor told an audience at the Royal Institute of International Affairs: "I want to tell you straight away that I know that the AU is very uncomfortable. The situation in Zimbabwe is very embarrassing.
"Presidents like (South Africa's Thabo) Mbeki tried desperately to exercise some influence for the better,î he said. "Africa is very much concerned.
"What can Mbeki as a man do? Are you proposing that Africa compose an expedition team to march on Zimbabwe and oppose? It does not happen like that. We are in our various ways trying very hard."
Mr Mugabe is blamed by opponents for repression, corruption, acute food shortages and inflation of 1,600 per cent - the highest in the world.
Reader views (12)
To Dan of Manchester. When was Zimbabwe ever a shining example of anything other than corruption? I think you need to read up a little on the history of the country, the stab in the back to Rhodesia from Britain and the vile guerilla war that ended with the "independence" of this country. You have no idea what you are talking about.
- Jane, London
Both S Africa and China can help to resolve this desperate situation before yet another civil war breaks out in a country that was until recently a shining example of how strong an African nation can become when it allowed to better itself. The rest of the world should feel ashamed - turning its back on the people who built Zimbabwe.
- Dan, Manchester
So when do we go in and liberate Zimbabwe? Oh no sorry, there's no oil there.
- Karl, London
Total silence from Nu Labor, the usual Left Wing Trots are utterly mute. Worried about admitting that "majority" rule has been an unmitigated disaster in Africa. Don't think South Africa won't go this way as well, it will, but will take a bit more time.
- James, London
In cases such as this the UN becomes a laughing stock and our Political leaders complete ineffectual wimps.
- Robert, Hull, East Yorks
One sincerely hopes Peter Hain is well satisfied - after all he was the one who championed Mugabe to start with and brought about the changes in Zimbabwe.
- Ian, Torpoint, Cornwall
The world power won't touch this problem.
No Oil...
- Stuart, London
Let´s not forget that the biggest supporter of Mugabe´s regime is South Africa, which is obviously beyond criticism!
- Tina, London
This just goes to show that the ruthless and brutal Mugabe regime will stop at nothing to silence the voice of the people, this is a government afraid because they know that they're losing grip on power. And you know what they say 'a hungry man is an angry man' well imagine what a nation of hungry people will do. Change is coming! God Bless Zimbabwe and its beautiful people!
- Amanda H, London, UK
As a born and bred Zambian I dispair at the state of affairs in Zimbabwe. The people were always taught that the white government were oppressing them which in turn resulted in the "liberation" of the country. I imagine the vast majority would give their right arm for a return to Ian Smith's civilised, beautiful Rhodesia. Yes there was poverty but nothing compared to the suffering Mugabe has inflicted on his people. South Africa excepted not a single African nation has managed to keep up with the standards of "colonial rule". Retrospecively, were we really so evil?
- Jane, London
Where are the bleeding heart liberals, Amnesty International, Liberty etc. who routinely denounce 'inhuman treatment of innocents'in Guantanamo Boy? Too busy trying to find non-stories elsewhere, presumably.
- Rick, London, England
Interesting the way the radical left in the UK, who are normally so keen to demonstrate against the big, bad, USA, are happy to keep passive and silent when it comes to the Marxist despot, Mugabe!
- Steve R, London, UK
