The Editor, Sir:

I am besides myself with the presbyopic nature of the African leaders of the 52 African countries. When will buffoonery not be the accepted norm of these African leaders, and people like Morgan Tsvangirai stand up and be willing to accept what regular Zimbabweans now endure. Mr Tsvangirai's lack of leadership at a pivotal time in Zimbabwe's history came when he was held up in a foreign embassy, when countless poor Zimbabweans were forced to suffer and even die in the name of democracy.

African people must know that "injustice anywhere, is injustice everywhere." South Africa's President Mbeki should not harbour nor lend safe passage to Robert Mugabe.

African leaders should rally around the people of Africa now, by speaking truth to power, even if that power is in the corrupt form of Robert Mugabe's government. It is time African leaders clean up themselves, and move away from the endemic cesspool of maladministration and ruthless corruption.

What is happening in Zimbabwe and on the African continent is shameful, immoral and unspiritual. Africa, the cradle of civilization is now known as the wasteland of civilization. How could you Africans have gone from the breadbasket of civilization, to the basket cases of civilization?

Mr Mugabe should be forced out if not by the ballot, then by the gun. Like Robert Nesta Marley said in his song "Africa Unite," but unite around the people of Africa, and not around the malfeasant crooks who have ruined the continent of Africa.

I am, etc.,

VICTOR R CALLENDER

vrcallen@yahoo.com

Tacoma, Washington

Via Go-Jamaica