EU: Brexit won’t change Zim sanctions

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Philip Van Damme

The cautionary was issued Wednesday by EU envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Philip Van Damme.

Zimbabwe has blamed Britain for sanctions the EU imposed in 2002, accusing President Robert Mugabe and his government of gross human rights and electoral fraud.

The Harare strongman however, insists the EU was cajoled by the UK to join “a bilateral dispute” over Zimbabwe’s often violent land reforms.

A referendum last week backed a UK exit from the European Union and politicians in Harare hope this could see Brussels removing its remaining sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Agriculture minister Joseph Made voiced the hope at a meeting on EU-Zimbabwe agriculture trade and development held in Harare.

“In Europe there are developments taking place, i.e., Brexit,” said the Zanu PF minister.

“That is very important to us and we are all anxiously waiting to see what happens because one of the major players is the United Kingdom.

“So I do hope that from a trade point of view there are certain things that (could happen and we) will be waiting and watching to see the developments.

“That is a major issue that cannot be ignored … we all anxiously waiting to see the developments in Europe.”

However, in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, ambassador Van Damme said Brexit would have no impact on the EU’s relationship with Harare.

“I repeat what I have been saying several times that we (EU) have a common position and that all member states converge around this common position,” he said.

“Individual member states do not impose anything and nothing changes if any member state may or may not leave EU.

“We have a shared vision and that vision is based on objective facts and an analysis of the situation.”

Brussels has since lifted most of its sanctions against Zimbabwe and even indicated it would resume financial support for the economically stricken country.

However, Harare says the remaining restrictions must go and these include a travel ban against President Mugabe and his wife Grace.

Mugabe blames the sanctions for Zimbabwe’s economic problems.