malvernmugadzikwa
Business Writer
The European Union (EU) has commended the recent launch of the dialogue platform related to Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance and debt resolution process and reiterated its commitment to support the country’s economic reforms, but demanded the Government to respect human rights and the country’s constitution.
The bloc also extended by a year, restrictive measures on Zimbabwe related to the arms embargo and targeted assets freeze against Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI).
Last year, Zimbabwe took a major step in its engagement with creditors after holding a second structured dialogue platform on its arrears clearance and debt resolution process.
This followed discussions with development partners in December last year. Zimbabwe’s foreign debt and arrear stands at about US$17 billion.
Supported by the African Development Bank, senior Government officials came together last Thursday with the country’s development partners—diplomatic representatives of mostly creditor countries—and multilateral finance institutions.
The AfDB president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina—appointed champion of the arrears clearance and debt resolution process by President Mnangagwa last year—played a central role in discussions, which he co-chaired with the former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano. President Mnangagwa appointed Chissano as facilitator of the re-engagement and high-level dialogue process, with Luisa Diogo, former prime minister of Mozambique as technical advisor.
“The EU welcomes the recent launch of the dialogue platform related to arrears clearance and debt resolution process and looks forward to tangible progress in this process,” it said.
“Together with EU member states, the EU will (also) continue to support Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 in particular on gender equality and women empowerment and greener and climate-smart agriculture, with over 400 million euros until 2025.
“The EU commits itself to enhance common efforts on addressing climate change on the basis of the Zimbabwean and EU commitments at COP27. The EU will continue to support the Zimbabwean people with humanitarian assistance, when needed.”
The EU said the remaining restrictive measures would not affect the country’s economy, foreign direct investments or trade. It said Zimbabwe continued to benefit from duty-free and quota-free access of its exports to the EU, while negotiations are ongoing to deepen the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement.
“There is significant potential in terms of investments and job opportunities, provided that the Government promote political and economic reforms, facilitate a conducive and more predictable business environment, tackle corruption and foster respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
The EU also welcomed Zimbabwe’s engagement on the Universal Periodic Review process, the alignment of legislation with the 2013 Constitution, the enactment of the Independent Complaints Commission Act, the new Marriages Act and the High-Level Political Compact on gender-based violence. “Other developments are of concern from a democratic and civic space perspective,” it said.
“These include the Data Protection Act and, if enacted, bills such as the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill and the envisaged “patriotic provisions” in the Criminal Law Amendment Bill. The EU also maintains its concerns that the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry have not been followed substantially and the perpetrators of violations which occurred in August 2018 and January 2019 are to date still enjoying impunity from prosecution.”
Bongani Ndlovu