GPA saved Zim from tougher EU sanctions — WikiLeaks
The signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) by Zimbabwe’s three key political parties to form a unity government saved the country from tougher European Union (EU) sanctions according to a diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks this week.
“The EU was considering strengthening the sanctions, but given the recent political breakthrough the EU will not consider additional or stronger sanctions,” read the cable.
The cable was dispatched on September 12 2008 three days before the GPA was signed.
The cable said although the EU welcomed the deal between President Robert Mugabe and members of the former opposition and was ready to plan its role for the reconstruction efforts, it was not sure how to deal with the existing sanctions and had therefore adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
The EU and the United States imposed what they call targeted sanctions on President Mugabe and his lieutenants in both Zanu PF and government for allegedly undermining democracy in Zimbabwe and failing to respect human and property rights.
They are barred from travelling to Europe or the United States except on United Nations business.
The sanctions also barred countries from selling arms to Zimbabwe and doing business with individuals or companies owned by these individuals and companies that were specified.
In the case of the United States, the sanctions also barred lines of credit to Zimbabwe.
The West has maintained the sanctions arguing that outstanding issues of the GPA have to be resolved first.
This is despite Zanu PF mobilising over two million signatures from Zimbabweans criticising the sanctions.
The cable was dispatched on September 12 2008 three days before the GPA was signed.
The cable said although the EU welcomed the deal between President Robert Mugabe and members of the former opposition and was ready to plan its role for the reconstruction efforts, it was not sure how to deal with the existing sanctions and had therefore adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
The EU and the United States imposed what they call targeted sanctions on President Mugabe and his lieutenants in both Zanu PF and government for allegedly undermining democracy in Zimbabwe and failing to respect human and property rights.
They are barred from travelling to Europe or the United States except on United Nations business.
The sanctions also barred countries from selling arms to Zimbabwe and doing business with individuals or companies owned by these individuals and companies that were specified.
In the case of the United States, the sanctions also barred lines of credit to Zimbabwe.
The West has maintained the sanctions arguing that outstanding issues of the GPA have to be resolved first.
This is despite Zanu PF mobilising over two million signatures from Zimbabweans criticising the sanctions.
