US sanctions on Zimbabwe to stay

The United States has reiterated its long held position that any easing or lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe would happen only in the context of a credible election.

SABC reported on Tuesday that the US State Department had hinted that lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe were unlikely.



"Preliminary reports from the AU, SADC and domestic observer missions also noted a number of concerns. So we've been clear that any easing of sanctions will only occur in the context of credible, transparent, peaceful elections.

"... We do not believe these results were a credible expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people" said the US State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf.

At the weekend, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement that in light of substantial irregularities the US did not consider the election to be a credible expression of the will of Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe's defeated presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday prepared to mount a legal and political challenge against the "sham" election that looks set to extend President Robert Mugabe's 33-year rule.

Tsvangirai's allies have announced they will launch a constitutional court challenge against the results of Wednesday's election, which handed Mugabe a thumping 61% of the vote.

The case could delay 89-year-old Mugabe's inauguration for another five-year term.