THE European Union has renewed its arms embargo on Zimbabwe for another year while formally lifting all provisions that allow the imposition of travel bans and asset freezes, the Council of the European Union announced on Tuesday.
The decision, effective until February 20, 2027, follows the bloc’s annual review of restrictive measures first imposed on the southern African nation in 2002.
While the arms embargo remains in place, the EU has removed what it called “all provisions related to the possibility of imposing a travel ban and asset freeze”.
“The EU remains constructively engaged with Zimbabwe and looks forward to deepening bilateral relations across a broad range of areas of mutual interest, including on trade and investment,” the council said in a statement.
The embargo prohibits the sale, supply or transfer of arms and related technical assistance “which might be used for internal repression”, according to the EU’s regulatory framework.
The measures were first adopted in response to serious human rights violations and the erosion of democratic norms under the late former President Robert Mugabe.
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Tuesday’s action completes a gradual easing of sanctions that began in recent years.
In February 2025, the EU removed the Zimbabwe Defence Industries from its blacklist, which was the last entity subject to individual sanctions.
With the current decision, the bloc has now eliminated the legal basis for future individual restrictions altogether, while maintaining the arms embargo.
The EU first imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe on February 18, 2002, following the expulsion of EU’s chief election observer and widespread international condemnation of election violence, political intimidation and harassment of the Press.
The original measures included an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes targeting government officials and entities.
In 2011, the council replaced the initial legal framework with Common Position 2011/101/CFSP, which has been subsequently renewed and adjusted over the years.
The bloc began easing restrictions in 2015 when it extended financial aid to the government for the first time since sanctions were imposed.
The EU remains Zimbabwe's main development partner, with co-operation totalling nearly €600 million since 1981.
Trade between the EU and Zimbabwe reached approximately €900 million in 2025, with Zimbabwe maintaining a positive balance, according to Germany’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christoph Retzlaff.
The decision comes as Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 development strategy and seeks to repair economic relations with Western nations.
In early 2025, the government began compensating foreign investors affected by the 2000 farm expropriations, a move diplomats have described as crucial for restoring investor confidence.
However, political tensions remain.
Zimbabwe’s Cabinet recently approved a Bill to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, which would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030 if Parliament approves it.
The proposal has reignited factional disputes within the ruling Zanu PF party.
The EU said it “will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures in light of any future developments”.
The bloc stressed in previous statements that “the remaining restrictive measures do not affect the people of Zimbabwe, its economy, foreign direct investments or trade.”
Harare has long blamed Western sanctions for hindering foreign investment and exacerbating the country's economic challenges, a claim repeatedly denied by the EU.
The ruling Zanu PF party has time and again scored cheap political points using sanctions as an excuse for its failure, though the practical impact of the remaining arms embargo on civilian economic activity is limited.
The United States maintains separate sanctions targeting specific Zimbabwean individuals and entities under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights sanctions programme, including Mnangagwa and several government officials and business figures.