EU Extends Zim Sanctions

The European Union (EU) has renewed its restrictions on Zimbabwe dealing a major blow to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration’s re-engagement bid.
In a statement issued by the council, the country’s sanctions will stretch until February 20, 2025. It also maintained the targeted sanctions on the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Last year, the EU removed Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, the late former President Robert Mugabe’s widow Grace, and current Zimbabwe Defence Forces boss General Valerio Sibanda, marking an end to individual targeted sanctions on the country.
“The council renewed its restrictive measures given the situation in Zimbabwe for a further year, until February 20, 2025. The measures of the embargo on arms and equipment might be used for internal repression,” the statement reads.
The EU will continue to monitor the human rights situation in the country, to follow developments in Zimbabwe, and to adapt the policies accordingly.
“On February 15, 2011, the council adopted Decision 2011/101/CFSP concerning restrictive measures given the situation in Zimbabwe. The remaining restrictive measures in place do not affect the people of Zimbabwe, its economy, foreign direct investments, or trade.”
The imposing sanctions in 2002 over electoral fraud and human rights violations, the EU has eased the measures to encourage political reform in the country.