EU RENEWS ARMS EMBARGO ON ZIMBABWE

Sat 20 February 2021:

The European Union (EU) has renewed its arms embargo on Zimbabwe, and a targeted asset freeze against the state munitions firm.

In a statement the EU said Zimbabwe’s crisis had deepened since this time last year.

Voicing its concerns about the arrests of journalists and opposition actors, the EU in Zimbabwe said on Twitter it “has renewed its arms embargo and maintained a targeted asset freeze against Zimbabwe Defense Industries, based also on the continuing need to investigate the role of security forces in human rights abuses.”

On Aug. 1, 2018, the Zimbabwean army shot and killed civilians after suspected members of the opposition swarmed the streets of the Zimbabwean capital, demanding immediate release of the presidential election results which they thought had been tampered with after the toppling of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in a military coup the previous year.

In January 2019, 17 civilians were shot dead by soldiers following a demonstration against fuel price hike announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

On Aug. 1, Britain announced its first set of sanctions on individuals under the UK’s Zimbabwe sanctions regime for human rights violations.

Britain’s new sanctions on Zimbabwe included a travel ban and asset freeze on State Security Minister Owen Ncube and Isaac Moyo, the director-general of the Central Intelligence Organization.

Godwin Matanga, commissioner general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, as well as former Brig. Gen. Anselem Sanyatwe, who was also commander of the Presidential Guard and tactical commander of the National Reaction Force, were also slapped with UK’s new sanctions.

In the statement, the EU said: “The purpose of the EU restrictive measures is to encourage a demonstrable, genuine and long-term commitment by the Zimbabwean authorities to respect and uphold human rights and the rule of law.

“The lack of substantial reforms has allowed the continued deterioration of the humanitarian, economic and social situation. Violations of human rights and limitations on the democratic space are also persisting.”

Announcing the further embargo on the impoverished African nation, the EU, however, said it “welcomes further opportunities for continued dialogue and engagement with Zimbabwe and reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship.”

Miffed by the human rights deterioration in this country, the EU also said it “is especially concerned about a proliferation of arrests and prosecutions of journalists, opposition actors and individuals expressing dissenting views.”

Although the Zimbabwean authorities claimed the sanctions have continued to impoverish citizens here, the EU said: “These measures do not affect the people of Zimbabwe, its economy, foreign direct investment, or trade.”

The renewal of these restrictive measures will be seen as another setback to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desire to re-engage with the West.

Earlier this month the UK imposed targeted sanctions on four top defence and security officials for their alleged role in rights abuses.

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