I was surprised that former British prime minister Tony Blair endorsed the South African Development Corporation (SADC) initiative in Zimbabwe.

I was surprised that former British prime minister Tony Blair endorsed the South African Development Corporation (SADC) initiative in Zimbabwe.

I was also surprised that Blair chose to support this mediation just before he left office. He had enough time to endorse Thabo Mbeki's role in the SADC while he was in office.

I don't think Blair really understood what he said at his farewell visit in Pretoria: "The obligation of Britain is to do everything it can to help, and in the end the solution is an African solution."

I am saying this because one of the SADC resolutions calls for the lifting of all sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The SADC also called on Britain to honour its land reform obligations made at the Lancaster House agreement.

The European Union supports the SADC bid but it seems it does not want to treat Zimbabwe in the same way as it does other African countries.

The SADC mandated Mbeki to mediate in Zimbabwe and it is reasonable to expect the mediator be respected - not only by all political parties but by all who want to bring about a fair resolution.

Even if elections were to take place in Zimbabwe next year, the winner will not be able to solve the country's problems without the help of opposition parties and civil society.

Jabulani Sibanyoni, Pretoria