A statement has been released by member states of the G8 expressing 'grave concern' over the current situation in Zimbabwe.

In the first section of the statement, the leaders wrote that they "deplore the fact that the Zimbabwean authorities pressed ahead with the presidential election despite the absence of appropriate conditions for free and fair voting as a result of their systematic violence, obstruction and intimidation." Furthermore, the G8 member nations noted that they do "not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people."

The statement continued by asking for the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change to co-operate with ZANU-PF, the party in power. "We strongly urge the Zimbabwean authorities to work with the opposition to achieve a prompt, peaceful resolution of the crisis," they said. They did, add, however, that "it is important that any mediation process respect the results of the March 29, 2008 election. "

In addition, the G8 members expressed concern at the humanitarian situation in the coutry. "Zimbabwean authorities must allow the immediate resumption of humanitarian operations and full and non-discriminatory access to humanitarian assistance to prevent the suffering of the most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe."

The G8 summit is an annual gathering of the leaders of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. This year, the 34^th G8 summit took place in Hokkaidō, Japan.

Once again we must stand up and applaud that star of Africa, Nelson Mandela. Even at the age of 90 he still has the strength to stand up and critisise injustice where he sees it. Unfortunately he does not have to look very far as the situation in Zimbabwe continues to go from bad to worse. In recent years Nelson Mandela has restricted himself to working on issues such as HIV/AIDS rather than getting involved in straight political confrontation which is what makes his statement in relation to Zimbabwe so striking.

Africa’s most popular former President, Nelson Mandela, during the celebration of his 90th birthday in London, used the opportunity for the first time to denounce the authorities in Zimbabwe for refusing to allow democracy to flourish. This should be a clear message to every African that what is going on in Zimbabwe is wrong and must be denounced. Our correspondent in London, Alhagie Mbye, states in his piece in today’s issue of The Point, “Interestingly a few individuals had different opinions about Mandela’s views. A young West African who voluntarily approached this correspondent at the main entrance gate, insisted that Mandela had made a ‘mistake in denouncing the regime of Robert Mugabe’ because, according to him, ‘Mugabe is doing the right thing.’

It is not difficult to find people in The Gambia who expresses the same sentiments. Many quote the sterling work that Mugabe did in driving out the colonial oppressors from Zimbabwe. Nobody is denying this but the fact is that his people are suffering now. Nelson Mandela also struggled at great personal sacrifice for the freedom of his people from the crushing oppression of Apartheid and should be respected for it. The difference between the two leaders is that now in the twilight of their years one adheres to the principles of democracy and non-violence while the other beats his own people, terrifies them into not voting and uses extreme physical violence to subdue democratic opposition.

These are the facts of the matter. African leaders must consider their response to the situation carefully but there should be no doubt that if you are pro Mugabe as he currently exists, you are anti democracy.

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Africa’s most popular former President, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, during the celebration of his 90th birthday in London, used the opportunity for the first time to denounce the authorities in Zimbabwe for refusing to allow democracy to flourish. His statement is attracting powerful headlines in various London newspapers and magazines, many asserting that his adding his voice to the political dilemma in his neighbouring country is essential and likely to generate positive effect to the current situation.

During a fundraising dinner in the city that was later followed by a giant concert involving various famous artistes and attended by thousands of people across the world, Mandela remarked that the crisis in Zimbabwe is a “tragic failure of leadership” that needed to be addressed.

The protest statement of the former president, who spent 27 years in the notorious Robin Island prison for opposing Apartheid, has been received well by many who believe that his timely intervention may be useful in helping to restore sanity in Zimbabwe.

Mandela, who turns 90 on July 18, is now in frail health and has difficulty walking unaided. The concert, which took place at the Hyde Park and was attended by this correspondent, has been described as one of the most well-attended programmes ever to have taken place in London.

Both the tube and bus stations were packed with dozens of people intending to reach the destination. The Hyde Park itself was already full of people from all walks of life well prior to Mandela’s arrival.

The former President’s prison number 46664 was displayed on all the entrances while journalists from different media houses busied themselves taking pictures and conducting interviews.

The concert was in support of Mandela’s global AIDS campaign, which involves a good number of celebrities in the UK and around the world. Such supporters include various politicians and some members of parliament in the country. Earlier Mandela had an audience with the Queen and some government officials. Both Prince Harry and William also attended the programme.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “We’re particularly honoured that he’ll be celebrating his birthday here in London and that he’s using his birthday to selflessly fundraise and build further support for his exceptional 46664 charity.”

Song writer Jerry Dammers, one of the architects of the famous song ‘free Mandela,’ said that the former South African president is “an inspiration to everyone and the greatest example in the whole world.”

He said “Mandela has been from hell and back and imprisoned unjustly for too long but he is still not bitter… This is why when he clicks his fingers alone everyone joins him in support.”

Bob Geldof has been instrumental in Mandela’s 46664 charity and always demanded others support him. Artist Brian May said it is still hard to believe that the “calibre of Mandela exists because he is so exceptional.”

Another well-known artist, Jimy Cliff, explained that “despite what happened to him and all his achievements, Mandela is still humble and honest.”

The American Hollywood star, Will Smith, noted that Mandela is the “greatest historical figure in this era.” Formula One driver, Louis Hamilton, and US actor, Denzel Washington, were among those due to attend the concert. Hamilton revealed that he was inspired by Mandela and had always wanted to meet him one day.

Musician Jim Kerr outlined that when he sang for Mandela during his 70th birthday, it was done “with anger but now it is different and his song will have to stay alive.”

Famous British singer Amy Winehouse, Brian May, Andrea Corr, Queen with Paul Rodgers, the squabbles, the new rising star Leona lewis, Razorlight, Simple Minds and a host of other well known international stars also performed.

The former South African President seeks his 46664 campaign against HIV/AIDS, to be broadcast around the globe. The 46664 campaign aims to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is rife in sub-Saharan Africa. Mandela lost a son to AIDS in January 2005 and has now made the fight against the pandemic his main cause.

Explaining the importance of the celebration, one of Mandela‘s spokespersons said that “the reason why Mr. Mandela is coming to this concert is that it is his way of saying thank-you to the British people for the Free Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley in 1988.”

Interestingly a few individuals had different opinions about Mandela’s views. A young West African who voluntarily approached this correspondent at the main entrance gate insisted that Mandela had made a “mistake in denouncing the regime of Robert Mugabe” because, according to him, “Mugabe is doing the right thing.”

Well done Barrack Obama! The Democratic front runner has done what so many African leaders have failed to do and critisised Robert Mugabe for not releasing the results of the election held on March 29th. The US Senator was unafraid in his words. He said that the people of Zimbabwe were tired of Mugabe’s failed policies, which have reduced the country from the breadbasket of Africa to a basket case. This is leadership. The Zambian President, Levy Mwanwasa, has called for an emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Committee. This is in contrast to Thabo Mbeki’s call for patience and the deafening silence ringing out from the State Houses and Palaces of other African leaders. In the spirit of African unity we must do all that we can to help our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe by forcing Mugabe and his party to release the results or leave office. It is becoming clearer by the day that there is trickery afoot.

The BBChas hard evidence that Police officers were ordered to vote for Robert Mugabe before the election so the mind boggles at the thought of what is going on behind the scenes at the moment with regard to the results of the ballot.

Our neighbours in Senegal have shown their leadership and their Pan-African justice credentials in recent days by changing the constitution to allow for the trial of the ex-Chadian leader Hissene Habre. The man, described as Africa’s Pinochet, is accused of human rights abuses during his eight years in power.

This is the kind of action that we need to see on the continent. All nations must support their neighbours and ensure that justice is available to all African people. It is too late to save the people of Chad from this man but at least they can get a form of justice if he is tried.

It is not too late however for the people of Zimbabwe. All African leaders must speak out against this mockery of democracy. The power is in the hands of all African leaders to stand up for the people of Zimbabwe because it is now crystal clear that Robert Mugabe is putting his pride, power lust and well being before that of his people. It’s reported that Mugabe and other African leaders were expecting an easy ride from Barrack Obama because of his African roots but this young man has once again risen above the issue of race and put truth and justice ahead of everything else. If he is elected to the office of United States President the unjust in Africa can expect a torrid time. African leaders who are fair and just, do not cling to power, don’t persecute journalists and put the needs of their people before their own can expect the support and friendship of the worlds most powerful nation and its President.

Savvy text messaging and cheeky ring tones are the new face of cost-effective political campaigning in Zimbabwe in the run up to the 29 March election, despite the creakiness of country's cell phone networks.

"Call it an SMS [short message service] craze if you like ... It's a simple, inexpensive and effortless way of campaigning for candidates of one's choice," Aleck Ndlovu, a political activist, told IRIN.

"We need change in our country and what we are doing is to encourage each other [via text messages] to use our right to vote to achieve that change," said Nobuhle Dube, a resident of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city.

Simba Makoni, an independent candidate who broke ranks with the ruling ZANU-PF party in February by declaring his presidential bid, and Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main group of the splintered Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), are President Robert Mugabe's chief opponents. The fourth presidential hopeful is another independent, Langton Towungana.

"Vote for Simba", Makoni's supporters SMS, while Tsvangirai's faithful ask, "Have you not suffered enough? Morgan is the solution."

Picture messages with Mugabe cartoons are a huge draw, but the most captivating novelty is an anti-Mugabe ringtone based on a local song, which asks in Shona: "How long will you vote for ZANU-PF?". The ringtone has become a hit, according to Alfred Sibanda, who runs a small electronic services café in Bulawayo.

"Alongside my main business, I burn music ... [write music to CDs] and we get at least 15 people per day who want the ringtone uploaded to their phones," he said.

However, this may not always be wise. "Some people have returned to us, requesting that we remove it after clashing with government sympathisers," Sibanda commented.

In ZANU-PF circles, messages extolling the party and Mugabe are doing the rounds. "Land to the people. Vote for president Mugabe", says one. "Down with the opposition", suggests another.

Political blogs are another popular campaign communications mode. "My blog's feedback section is always brimming with responses from those sympathetic to Mugabe, Tsvangirai or Makoni, and some have sent me links to their blogs ... The network cuts across the political divide," said Busani Moyo, another Bulawayo resident.

The polls are crucial to Zimbabweans, as the almost dysfunctional economy has left them with an inflation rate of around 100,000 percent and widespread food shortages.

The recent endorsement of Makoni by ZANU-PF heavyweight Dumiso Dabengwa and two other former cabinet ministers has given the elections an interesting turn. John Makumbe, an anti-ZANU-PF political scientist at the University of Zimbabwe, said it had improved Makoni's chances, and "was a major blow for Mugabe".

Scores of white commercial farmers who left Zimbabwe after their farms were seized as part of President Robert Mugabe's land reform policies are returning home as the promise of greener pastures elsewhere in southern Africa fails to materialise.

Justice for Agriculture (JAG), an independent organisation established to support about 4,000 farmers left landless after implementation of the 2000 fast-track land-reform programme to redistribute land to blacks, said about 100 farmers who had left to settle in other countries in the region had returned to Zimbabwe.

"It never rains but pours for the commercial farmers. Following numerous constraints that almost turned them into paupers in countries like Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi, the farmers decided to come back, and more could be returning," JAG chairman John Worswick told IRIN. It is not known how many farmers left the country as a result of the land-reform process.

"Their difficulties were mostly financial: after being invited by some private organisations to help boost agricultural production [in other countries], particularly in tobacco farming, they set up farms but were later dumped by their financiers and had no choice but to pack their bags and head back to virtual emptiness here."

Although the prospects for the farmers in Zimbabwe appeared bleak because of the country's economic meltdown and the absence of investment opportunities, he said there was optimism that farmers would, in the end, be given back their properties.

Most Zimbabweans are trying to cope with an annual inflation rate of around 4,000 percent - the highest in the world - and there are widespread shortages of basic commodities and foreign currency.

"Long-term prospects are bright for the commercial farmers. Justice will one day prevail, even if it means twenty or thirty years. We have seen private individuals being given back their properties in countries like Mozambique and Uganda, decades after oppressive governments had taken them over," Worswick said.

Most of the commercial white farmers ejected from their farms kept the documents proving their ownership of the property and have challenged the seizure of their land in both local and international courts, although the ZANU-PF government has repeatedly vowed that the land acquisitions would not be reversed. Beneficiaries of the land redistribution exercise receive 99-year leases on the farms where they have been resettled.

Empty promises

Rod Swales, 52, a tobacco farmer, decided to return from Mozambique's Manica Province, which borders Zimbabwe. His farm was taken from him in 2002, and he was detained and assaulted by war veterans and members of the government's youth militia, also known as the Green Bombers.

"With the steep decline in tobacco production in Zimbabwe after the land seizures, the companies invited us to Mozambique, saying we could fill the void by producing in that country on a large scale, and we jumped at the opportunity," Swales told IRIN.

They were contracted to produce tobacco over seven years and would be required to make yearly loan repayments, but did not receive sufficient funding from the companies that had taken them on board and produced poor quality tobacco because they started late in the first farming season.

"We also got poor prices for our tobacco and in subsequent seasons our woes persisted, and we had no choice but to tell the company that we could not keep on farming because the money we were getting in loans was not sufficient to establish ourselves," said Swales.

They lost their farming equipment to the companies after deciding to quit tobacco farming and, Swales said, even their efforts to have the Mozambican government intervene were fruitless.

The language barrier also made it difficult for the farmers to operate in their adopted country. English is widely spoken in the former British colony of Zimbabwe, while Portuguese is the lingua franca of Portugal's former colony, Mozambique.

Swales considered himself "at least lucky" because he managed to keep his suburban home in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, where his family now lives.

"That we had to come back to Zimbabwe was a hard pill to swallow but, for people like me, this is the only home I know. My grandparents settled here and bought a farm, which was inherited by my father. I bought my own farm in Darwindale [in Mashonaland West Province], from which I was unfortunately ejected," said Swales.

It pains Swales that his farm, once thriving and producing enough tobacco for local and international markets, is being underutilised by resettled farmers who are planting small plots of maize, even though the land is not suited for that crop.

Because the land redistribution exercise was hurried and haphazard, thousands of new farmers lacking in expertise were settled on plots of land without the necessary infrastructure, leading to severely reduced production, while influential politicians and government officials obtained multiple farms that, in many cases, have become derelict.

As a means of making a living, Swales has teamed up with others and formed a farming consultancy to help "new and ailing" farmers establish themselves, "but our activities are limited to those who bought their farms, not the ones that grabbed them".

The fledgling company is finding it difficult to obtain bank loans to establish itself because none of the shareholders have access to the collateral that their farms would have provided.

While Swales has seized on an opportunity to reconstruct his life, others have no means of making a living.

Living off charity

Kennedy Swaggart, 60, who experienced difficult times in Malawi as a barley farmer, decided to come back to Zimbabwe and is now living on the charity of a South African church.

As a widower without any children, he felt that there was no need to keep properties in Zimbabwe, so he sold his farm equipment and a house in the capital to raise money for his new farming venture when he left for Malawi in 2001.
"After falling on hard times because the barley market was no longer profitable for me, coming back was the only option, even though I knew very well that I would have to struggle to find even a roof for my head," Swaggart told IRIN. "Fortunately, fellow farmers sent out an SOS to charity organisations and I have been placed in a retirement home by a South African church."

He is now seeking compensation from the government for improvements made on the land he lost, as was promised to the farmers.

Swaggart said he had made many trips to the lands ministry since his return to demand his money but, in most cases, he was turned away, with officials asking him why he had not made his application several years ago.

"On my last visit I was told not to bother visiting their offices, but to wait until they approach me with the payment. As far as I am concerned that could be forever, but I need the money desperately," he said.

The government claims that it has paid out millions of dollars in compensation, but most farmers say the money is too little for their properties; some accuse the state of confiscating their equipment, for which no payment has been forthcoming.

Swaggart, like many other farmers, believes that "God will intervene, and political sanity will prevail and the good old days will return when we get back our farms".

Some of the farmers, particularly grain and cereal producers who relocated as far afield as Nigeria and Australia, have managed to farm successfully, boosting agricultural production in their adopted countries.