G8: Africa will suffer if Robert Mugabe stays in power

World leaders are expected to threaten tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe today unless African nations take a stronger role in negotiations to remove President Mugabe.

The G8 told seven African leaders yesterday that unless they acted to deal with the “illegitimate” President, trade and investment on the continent could be hit, officials disclosed.

President Mbeki of South Africa had an uncomfortable time during the session as several leaders, including President Bush, expressed dissatisfaction at his failure to bring Mr Mugabe to book. Mr Bush called last month’s election a sham and Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, said that she would back more sanctions.