Archbishops demand Zimbabwe action

Zimbabwe is now on the brink of "spiralling communal violence" like that seen in Kenya or Rwanda, Anglican church leaders have warned.

In a statement, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York called for an immediate arms embargo against the Mugabe regime.

Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu demanded action by the international community to bring about an end to the post-election crisis.

They also issued a thinly-veiled criticism of President Thabo Mbeki's South African government and its "lacklustre" efforts to resolve the situation.

Almost a month on from the elections, and results of the presidential poll still have not been announced as Robert Mugabe clings to power with a fierce crackdown on opposition supporters.

The archbishops said the electoral process in Zimbabwe is now "without credibility" because of vote rigging, violence, and delay.

Describing Mr Mugabe's Zimbabwe as a former "beacon of hope", they said they now approached the current crisis with "foreboding and sorrow".

Earlier this week, church leaders in the region warned that Zimbabwe could face genocide similar to that seen in Rwanda and Burundi.

They also echoed a call from the Archbishop of Cape Town, Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, for more effective action from South Africa, the Southern African Development Community and the UN.

International pressure on Mr Mugabe is growing, with the US calling for an arms embargo.

A shipment of weapons bound for Zimbabwe was recalled to China after South African workers refused to unload the vessel and other countries barred it from their ports.

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