Something is stirring in Africa. Belatedly, often reluctantly, its leaders are speaking out on Zimbabwe. The rogue president in their ranks, they are coming to realise, poses a threat with the potential to destabilise their fragile continent, already caught in a growing storm.

Even though annual economic growth remains above 5 per cent, food prices are rising, transport costs soaring and, while commodity prices rise, oil bonanzas are squandered. So-called role models collapse and terrorism lurks in failed states. Aids and malaria continue to decimate, corruption destroys and inefficient management debilitates.