EU to maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO - European Union (EU)'s ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell' Ariccia says current conditions make it difficult for the bloc to remove travel and financial restrictions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and some of his ruling, military and business associates.

Dell' Ariccia said the EU would only lift the targeted sanctions if non-violent elections were held in Zimbabwe.

He was speaking in Bulawayo this week at a time when civil society is reporting an increase in police harassment of human rights defenders and the general public. Cases of political violence have also been on the increase, according to political parties.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo, Dell' Ariccia said the EU was ready to remove restrictive measures imposed on Mugabe and other Zanu PF leaders on condition that the country implemented electoral reforms agreed to under the power sharing Global Political Agreement that was mediated by regional grouping Sadc.

The EU, alongside the United States, Australia, Switzerland and New Zealand imposed 'targeted' sanctions on Mugabe and his associates at the turn of the decade as punishment for allegedly stealing elections, perpetuating human rights violations and failing to uphold the rule of law.

But Mugabe says sanctions by the EU and its western allies are meant to weaken him and eventually cause his ouster from power as punishment for seizing land from white farmers. Dell' Ariccia refuted that the EU sanctions were aimed at sabotaging Zimbabwe's economy.

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