A SOUTHEND campaigner says the people of Zimbabwe are on the brink of a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.

Washington Ali, 36, former chairman of the UK branch of the Movement for Democratic Change, spoke of his fears after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York called for an immediate arms embargo against the country's dictator Robert Mugabe.

As Mugabe still refused to stand down, despite his apparent electoral defeat a month ago, Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu issued a statement demanding action by the international community to bring about an end to the post-election crisis.

Mr Ali said: "I think the situation really is getting worse.

"We have been talking about a lot of people suffering under this regime for a long time. People have been murdered, beaten and raped. Now the world has started at last to believe what people are facing in Zimbabwe. They are starting to think about what Mugabe and his people have been doing."

In their statement, the archbishops warned the country was on the brink of national disintegration facing spiralling communal violence like that seen in Kenya and Rwanda.

Mr Ali said the country's troubles could also soon mirror Darfur where the Sudanese government's brutal counter-insurgency has left more than four million people in need of emergency assistance.

He said: "An arms embargo would help. What does Mugabe need arms for? He will be using them against his own people. He is recruiting young people now. They are employed and given drugs in return. All the African leaders are calling for something to be done now.

"The United Nations needs to help sooner rather than later or we will certainly have another Darfur on our hands. There is absolutely no doubt about that."

British churches have been called upon to join an international day of prayer for the country this Sunday.