The United States criticised Africa for lack of action on Zimbabwe today and South Africa shifted its stance to express concern for the first time over a post-election deadlock.
"It is time for Africa to step up," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a news conference. "Where is the concern from the African Union and from Zimbabwe's neighbours about what is going on in Zimbabwe?"
African reaction has been subdued to events in Zimbabwe, where a 19-day delay in issuing results of a presidential poll has fuelled fears of violence, although regional leaders called last weekend for the outcome to be announced quickly.
The continent has largely taken its cue from President Thabo Mbeki, who has insisted on a "softly softly" diplomatic approach to President Robert Mugabe, despite the catastrophic collapse of Zimbabwe's economy.
But the South African government made a major policy shift, calling for the results to be issued rapidly and saying it was concerned by the delay.
"The situation is dire," government spokesman Themba Maseko said today in Cape Town. "When elections are held and results are not released two weeks after, it is obviously of great concern."
Mr Mbeki had previously said the electoral process must take its course and there was no crisis after the March 29th elections.
His stance was seen as backing Mugabe over the delay.
Zimbabwe's government today accused opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of treason and of working with former colonial power Britain to topple President Robert Mugabe in the recent elections.
Responding to international criticism of Zimbabwe's long delay in issuing results of the March 29th vote, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa accused Mr Tsvangirai - who says he defeated Mr Mugabe in the election - of being a British puppet.
At a summit of the United Nations and African Union yesterday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "No one thinks, having seen the results of polling stations, that President Mugabe has won."
Mr Chinamasa responded: "It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe, and on the part of Tsvangirai, this is treasonous."
He added in a statement in state media: "There is no doubting the consequences for acting in a treasonous manner."
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) accuses Mr Mugabe of organising a violent militia crackdown to help him steal the elections, in which his Zanu-PF party lost control of parliament for the first time in his 28-year rule.
No official results have been released from the presidential vote which has been embroiled in a series of legal cases.
The European Union called today for the immediate publication of the election results, saying further delays would be unacceptable.
"Clearly the publication of the results is needed and it's needed now,” a spokesman for the EU executive told a daily briefing. "Further delays are unacceptable and would just be considered as stalling the democratic process."
And for the first time, South Africa's government added its voice to the calls.
"The Zimbabweans need to be informed about those reasons for holding the results. But the most important thing is that the results need to be verified and released as soon as possible," government spokesman Themba Maseko told reporters.
President Thabo Mbeki’s government has previously hesitated to criticise Mr Mugabe, who it regards as an ally.
The Group of Eight advanced nations also joined the international criticism today, expressing "deep concern" about rising tension in Zimbabwe. G8 foreign ministers urged a "speedy, credible and genuinely democratic resolution" to the situation and a swift release of the results, according to a statement released by this year's group host, Japan.