Even Africa has few options on Zimbabwe

By Michael Georgy - Analysis

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's neighbors lack the will and the means to take action against President Robert Mugabe to avert a likely deeper economic collapse and possible bloodshed if he stays in power, analysts say.

Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF lost control of parliament for the first time in the March 29 election. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he defeated Mugabe in the presidential poll and accuses him of planning violence to overturn results of both votes. No result of the presidential poll has been announced.

On paper, southern African countries that have already mediated between Mugabe and the opposition appear to offer the best chance of preventing a bigger catastrophe. Mugabe's fierce critics in the West hold no sway.

But the neighbors are unlikely to take any strong action against Mugabe, blamed by critics for an economic meltdown.

One reason for the lack of action is the wide respect still accorded to Mugabe on the continent.

While the West sees him as a ruthless dictator, fellow leaders of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) are overawed by his past as a liberation hero.

SADC, led by South African President Thabo Mbeki, has resisted calls for greater pressure on Mugabe, favoring "quiet diplomacy" and saying anything more would violate Zimbabwe's sovereignty.

Military intervention is certainly not an option.