HARARE - The European Union, which has provided close to $800 million in humanitarian aid over the last years three years, has accused the Zimbabwe government of not being sincere. This came out of a meeting between diplomats working in Harare and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengengwi, after the latter accused western countriThe meeting was supposed to be a routine update on what came out of the recent SADC head of state summit in Namibia, but degenerated into a debate about the issue of targeted measures against President Robert Mugabe and his henchmen imposed because of rampant human rights abuses against innocent Zimbabweans.
Mumbengegwi had said Zimbabwes economy would only recover if the so-called sanctions were lifted and that the country did not need humanitarian assistance. The Foreign Affairs minister’s sabre rattling underscored Harare’s desire to escalate the targeted sanctions conflict and its unwillingness whatsoever to resolve the issue through diplomatic negotiations.
Albrecht Conze, the German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, said despite western countries being accused of harming Zimbabwe, they have in fact been the largest helpers to the people.
He said there was no way targeted sanctions against 200 Zanu (PF) individuals and a handful of companies associated with them could affect the development of the economy and the integration of the entire SADC region.
The same western countries you accuse of being enemies of Zimbabwe have so far raised close to $800 million in humanitarian assistance. We find your accusation baffling to say the least, said Conze.
Despite the ministers unfair accusations, western countries were currently working together to source resources for a multi-donor trust. Conze said they would continue in their efforts to fund areas in great need, especially water and energy generation.
Relations between the West and Zimbabwe have been fragile for a long time, with the former accusing Harare of human rights abuses and undermining freedoms. Harare denies the charges, and accuses western governments of angling for regime change.
Early this month the diplomats walked out in the middle of Mugabe’s speech at the burial of his sister at Heroes Acre, after the veteran leader sharply criticized their countries for interfering in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs and imposing so-called sanctions. Mumbengegwi then summoned the diplomats and reprimanded them for what he called ‘disrespectful behaviour’.
Post published in: Africa News