The group, from the UK Parliaments International Development Committee (IDC), will spend four days in Zimbabwe during which they will tour various humanitarian projects funded by British taxpayers through the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID head in Zimbabwe Dave Fish said the visit by the parliamentarians will help ensure continued support for the humanitarian projects in Zimbabwe.
The UK government is committed to helping the poorest and most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe, said Fish. Progress on halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, caring for orphans, widows and disabled as well as access to safe water supply and agriculture inputs are vital for Zimbabwes recovery. The parliamentary visit will ensure that our support continues to deliver life-changing results for those most in need of help.
It was not immediately clear whether the UK parliamentarians plan to hold talks with President Robert Mugabe or any other leaders or officials of Zimbabwes unity government that came into office last February and has promised to restore relations with Western nations.
While the visit is officially being touted as a parliamentary mission to inspect UK-funded aid projects, it is likely to be viewed in political circles as indication that London could be toying with the idea of renewing contact with Mugabe, who still controls Zimbabwe despite agreeing to cede some of his powers under the power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai.
Post published in: News