South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki desperately did not want Zimbabwe to be debated by the United Nations, he prefers "African solutions for Africa's problems".
That is obviously an admirable and also the right sentiment. The problem is that, in the case of Zimbabwe, it has not worked. It has failed disastrously. That is what even his own party is now telling him.
Mr Mbeki wanted more time but African National Congress members – in no uncertain terms – have told him time has run out after five years of quiet diplomacy in Zimbabwe.
