Zimbabwe’s multifaceted and prolonged crisis has further deepened, the European Union (EU) has said.
The western bloc says it is ready to support credible and sustainable economic and political reforms, based on tangible commitments made by the Government of Zimbabwe.
“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,” the European Union says in a press statement.
“The EU is especially concerned about a proliferation of arrests and prosecutions of journalists, opposition actors and individuals expressing dissenting views, and the use by high-level officials of speech that could be interpreted as incitement to violence.”
EU’s response to the Zimbabwean crisis is to renew its arms embargo and to maintain a targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, taking into account the situation in Zimbabwe, including the continuing need to investigate the role of security force actors in human rights abuses.
The bloc says, “In light of its continuing concerns, the EU has reviewed its restrictive measures, recalling their purpose 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 bloc also says restrictive measures against three Zimbabweans will continue to be suspended. EU last year suspended restrictions on Vice President Constantino Chiwenga; Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Valerio Phillip Sibanda and Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri.
“The EU will continue to closely follow developments, with a particular attention to the human rights situation, and recalls its readiness to review and adapt the whole range of its policies accordingly,” the bloc says.
EU also says the sanctions do not affect the people of Zimbabwe, its economy, foreign direct investment, or trade, and Zimbabwe continues to benefit from duty-free and quota-free access of its exports to the EU, with negotiations to deepen the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) ongoing.
“Accelerated political and economic reforms, respect for human rights, boosting trust in the rule of law and tackling corruption would contribute significantly to investor confidence, build a steady business climate and facilitate Zimbabwe in taking full advantage of the opportunities the EPA provides,” the bloc says.