News / National
Zimbabwe's all-white anti-sanctions group backs EU
02 Jul 2014 at 08:08hrs | Views
AN all-white lobby group calling itself Whites Against Sanctions, which was formed early this year, has endorsed the European Union's (EU) evolving policies towards Zimbabwe.
The EU imposed sanctions against Harare more than a decade ago, accusing President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party of human rights violations and election fraud, allegations denied by the Zimbabwean strongman.
But Brussels has indicated a willingness to re-engage with Harare and most of the sanctions have since been lifted in the period leading up to and after last year's elections which were won by Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
Addressing a press conference in Harare Tuesday, the anti-sanctions group, led by its chairperson Matthew Smith, commended the EU policy shift towards greater engagement and constructive interaction with the Zanu-PF government.
Smith added that the move by the EU investment bank to consider investing in local financial institutions would have a 'revolutionary' effect on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans and local businesses.
The EU imposed sanctions against Harare more than a decade ago, accusing President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party of human rights violations and election fraud, allegations denied by the Zimbabwean strongman.
But Brussels has indicated a willingness to re-engage with Harare and most of the sanctions have since been lifted in the period leading up to and after last year's elections which were won by Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
Addressing a press conference in Harare Tuesday, the anti-sanctions group, led by its chairperson Matthew Smith, commended the EU policy shift towards greater engagement and constructive interaction with the Zanu-PF government.
Smith added that the move by the EU investment bank to consider investing in local financial institutions would have a 'revolutionary' effect on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans and local businesses.
Source - online
