We were struck by the lack of a critical response to the research cited by Larry Elliott and Heather Stewart on Africa and the millennium development goals, (Africa begins to make poverty history, 3 March).

South African president Jacob Zuma began his three-day state visit to the UK yesterday with a call for international sanctions on Zimbabwe to be lifted. Should travel bans and asset freezes imposed on Robert Mugabe be suspended?

The EU sanctions are not only internally divisive but iniquitous and obstructive to democracyLifting sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party "would give Zimbabwe an opportunity to move forward", Jacob Zuma told reporters this week during his visit to Britain. South Africa's president is right.

The South African president has attacked Britain's tabloids for delving on his 'colourful private life'. Follow the pomp and controversy of Zuma's state visit.12.03pm: Alongside the pomp and ceremony, there is a serious side to Jacob Zuma's visit. He will be pressing Gordon Brown tolift the travel bans and asset freezes imposed by the EU and the US on Robert Mugabe and his allies.

MDC hopes to use global spotlight on South Africa to ensure Robert Mugabe runs a fair and non-violent pollOpponents of President Robert Mugabe have demanded early elections in Zimbabwe, timed to coincide with the World Cup being staged in neighbouring South Africa.The demand by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) came as talks to extend the lifespan of the year-old unity government ended in deadlock last week.The MDC hopes that the media focus on the region will raise the possibility of staging free and fair elections.