Stalemate in Zimbabwe

Nearly two years ago, the MDC party undeniably won the general election yet was forced into a power-sharing government with Zanu-PF.

As if that is not outrageous enough, Mugabe has refused to keep his side of the pact signed with Morgan Tsvangirai in 2008. Human rights and the rule of law are being systematically violated - including the invasion of white-owned farms. For the next election, which could be as early as next June or as late as 2013, Zanu-PF leaders have made it clear that they will not make the same mistake as in 2008. Namely, they will use violent intimidation as early as possible before an election.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), especially South Africa's Jacob Zuma, need to be more forceful. This will have much more impact on Zimbabwe than condemnations from the Western world. The SADC and AU (African Union) need to send in peacekeeping forces a full sixth months before the election.

The EU also have a role. As Zuma has called for, the EU should lift its sanctions against Mugabe and his comrades (which ban them visiting the EU) in return for peaceful election monitored by international observers.