The European Union was set to urge further reform in Zimbabwe as it continued Tuesday to soften punishing sanctions imposed against President Robert Mugabe and his allies more than a decade ago. A high-level EU delegation was on its way to Harare to meet officials as Brussels readied to issue a key statement outlining the bloc's carrot-and-stick approach to the southern African nation ruled by Mugabe since independence from Britain in 1980.
The statement, to be issued this week by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, probably on Wednesday, "will be a balanced political message" reflecting divergent views among the 28 member states, an EU diplomat told AFP. "It will acknowledge that Zimbabwe's reform process is moving, but slowly, and that we can lift sanctions now, but slowly, and on condition of continued progress," said another diplomat close to the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity. EU ministers this week suspended an asset freeze and visa ban against eight figures in the political and military elite, but maintained sanctions against Mugabe, who turns 90 on Friday, and his 48-year-old wife Grace.
Comments
Comments are closed.