According to the Evening Post, Jon Collins, the much loved leader of Nottingham City Council, has written to the African Union to express his concerns about the delay in releasing results from the recent elections in Zimbabwe and the risk of state sponsored violence should there be a presidential run-off.

"The unexplained delays in the release of the election results are unacceptable," quoth Collins. "The African Union has a mandate and responsibility... to guarantee the officially announced results reflect the true will of the Zimbabwean people, to ensure stability and a return to democracy."

Nottingham City Council's interest in affairs in Zimbabwe is apparently nothing new. Harare, the country's capital, became on of Notingham's six "International Partner Cities" (the more usual "twins" apparently not having the requisite gravitas) in 1980.

Despite his very public declaration of concern about the situation in Zimbabwe, Collins was notable by his absence at the recent demonstration against Mugabe held at the city's temporary speakers corner.

If anybody shares Collins concerns and wants to do something, but feels writing to the African Union may not be the most productive use of their time, there will be a further demonstration for democracy in Zimbabwe tomorrow (Friday) at the Council House Steps (Left Lion) from 12-2pm.

Previous Zimbabwe related articles: No result in Zimbabwe elections | Nottingham’s Zimbabwean Community stand together | Zimbabwean Asylum Rights Demo @ Speakers Corner, Nottingham