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EU to Maintain Sanctions on Zimbabwe's Mugabe, Ease Them For 51 Others


The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa said the EU was premature in removing some names, but the International Crisis Group in a recent paper called for a revision of the Western sanctions regimen

The European Union is maintaining travel and financial sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and hardliners in his ZANU-PF party, but EU diplomatic sources said 51 other members of the former ruling party will be delisted.

EU sources say an arms embargo will remain in place and a freeze on development assistance will be extended for another six months.

The diplomats said 20 ZANU-PF-related entities will be removed from the list, but 112 individuals including Mr. Mugabe and 11 entities will remain under sanctions.

Travel bans will be suspended for the foreign and justice ministers so they can take part in talks with the European Union, the diplomatic sources said.

The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa said the EU was premature in removing some names. But the International Crisis Group in a recent paper called for a revision of the sanctions regimen to lay the groundwork for creative solutions to the crisis.

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told VOA reporter Blessing Zulu that his party condemns the European move as it is inadequate. But London-based international relations expert Clifford Mashiri said the European move was a smart one.

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