European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia had some vaguely encouraging comments this week about the sanctions that the EU continues to maintain on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle.
The envoy told journalists on the one hand that sanctions were having an impact because those subject to them - Mr. Mugabe and about 200 top members of his ZANU-PF party - were going to great lengths to have them lifted.
But he said the European Union will conduct a review of the sanctions before long. They were last renewed in February.
Europe imposed the travel and financial restrictions over what it said were human rights violations by Harare and policies intended to prevent free and fair elections from being held.
Dell’Ariccia told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the sanctions were imposed to encourage the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in the country.
Europe imposed the travel and financial restrictions over what it said were human rights violations by Harare and policies intended to prevent free and fair elections from being held
