The roadmap includes a credible constitutional referendum and the holding of free and fair elections and a referndum and was announced on Thursday by the Australia Foreign Minister Bob Carr.
Australia acknowledged efforts made by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and other like-minded people towards bringing about genuine democratic reforms to Zimbabwe, resulting in her country’s consideration to review restrictive measures imposed on Zimbabwe slightly more than 10 years ago for human rights abuses, electoral fraud and-ill governance.
“Australia will reduce sanctions on Zimbabwe if the country announces a date for the constitutional referendum, hold a peaceful and credible constitutional referendum and conducts free and fair elections which results in the looser handing over power to a democratically elected government,” said Carr.
Senator Car warned that lifted sanctions could be re-imposed if the process towards free and fair elections is derailed. “The lifting of sanctions is contingent upon continued political progress in Zimbabwe.”
The phased reduction of sanctions is in line with approaches being pursued by the United States and the European Union. The sanctions are targeted on President Robert Mugabe, members of his inner circle and institutions that were accused of violating human rights rights.
Australia’s current sanctions include travel and financial restrictions against 153 individuals and four entities, an arms embargo and prohibition on defence links.
Senator Carr also endorsed the positive role being played by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), especially South Africa, in facilitating efforts to re-democratise Zimbabwe.
The announcement by Australia follows the agreement in Zimbabwe last week on the text for the new draft constitution that has already been adopted by Parliament and is set to be taken for a referendum.
Post published in: News