The EU Council decided, on Monday 17 February, to extend the existing targeted restrictive measures against Zimbabwe for one year. This concerns the arms embargo and asset freeze imposed on one company: Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
In its conclusions adopted without debate by the European Foreign Ministers, the EU Council stresses in particular that the alleged role of the armed and security forces in human rights abuses has yet to be investigated.
It clarified that the targeted sanctions were not intended to penalise the country’s population, but to encourage a tangible commitment by the Zimbabwean authorities to respect the Rule of law and human rights. The EU Council welcomes the resumption of a formal political dialogue in 2019 as a step towards a more constructive relationship between the EU and Zimbabwe.
The EU Council expresses its concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis, the reduction of democratic space, corruption and the economic and social situation in the country. Regretting "the lack of substantial political and economic reforms", it called on the government to speed up the pace as a matter of urgency, "for the benefit of its people". It also underlines the EU's readiness to support these reforms.
It expresses its full support for the people of Zimbabwe, stressing that the EU is continuing its assistance in economic development, primary health care, resilience building and humanitarian aid, areas where its assistance effort has increased.
The EU Council underlines that it stands ready to review the whole range of its policies at any time, when justified, based on developments in Zimbabwe. It states that the EU will seek to intensify its collaboration with international partners - primarily the African Union, SADC (Southern African Development Community) and financial institutions that can support positive developments in Zimbabwe. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)