The BBC on Tuesday broadcasts a two hour special programme on the future of Zimbabwe. Focus on Africa will air around the world from 1500 GMT while at 1600 GMT Africa Have Your Say picks up the debate.
With China, Russia and South Africa vetoing attempts to place sanctions on the regime of Robert Mugabe, it seems increasingly likely that the government and the opposition will be encouraged to find a compromise solution to the current crisis.
Representatives of Zanu PF and the MDC are meeting in South Africa to discuss the terms of such negotiations with both sides insisting on a range of pre-conditions before formal talks begin.
The situation has echoes of Kenya where Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga struck a deal over contested election results which left both of them with a share of power.
Several countries including Ivory Coast, Angola, and Ghana are gearing up for possibly contentious elections later this year, but have the events in Zimbabwe left voters feeling nervous?
Are compromise deals the way forward for Africa? If so how damaging are they to the democratic process? Is there any point in voting if the result is negotiated rather than based on who won the ballot? Should Zimbabweans accept peace at any cost? Would you give up your democratic vote for the sake of peace?
