EU not to assist Zim until after elections

Zimbabwe has been reeling from the illegal sanctions imposed by the EU, the United States and their allies claiming there was no rule of law in the country.
But the sanctions are largely seen as a retaliatory measure after the country embarked on the land reform programme to empower its citizens. In an interview after handing over an EU Information Corner at the Bulawayo Public Library, Ambassador Ariccia said EU member states were discussing the future of Zimbabwe in relation to sanctions. He said the EU would only consider lifting the targeted sanctions if non-violent elections were held in Zimbabwe.
“Restrictions are being discussed at the level of EU as we speak. I cannot say much on this because if member states are meeting over the restrictions it means they are discussing everything,” said Ambassador Ariccia.
He suggested that elections be monitored and mediated by regional organisations.
“As EU we cannot be involved much but we are watching as the elections approach and would be glad to be observing what happens. Our expectations are a free and fair election without harassment and intimidation of people and then the EU would be able to know what to do next in terms of the kind of assistance.”
Ambassador Ariccia preferred to call the ban on export of Cold Storage Company (CSC) meat to EU countries as a sanitary measure saying the bloc was concerned about health in its member states against foot and mouth disease.
Asked whether the EU would consider scrapping the debts Zimbabwe owes EU member states, the ambassador said it was up to the Zimbabwe Government to make such proposals.
Some participants were concerned about conditions that come with funding from the EU and Ambassador Ariccia said a legal framework, which they were mandated to follow, bound the bloc.
The illegal sanctions by the US, the EU and Australia on Zimbabwe have significantly contributed to the country’s economic collapse and hyperinflation in the past few years as the West had an agenda to effect regime change.
In December last year, the US added on its list of sanctions Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources, a move that was seen as a ploy to frustrate efforts to improve the economy through diamond sales.
The EU delegation was in Bulawayo since Monday seeking to establish partnerships with different sectors in the city.
It carried out field visits to different institutions in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North, which culminated in the opening of the information centre.
The EU Ambassador said the visit to Bulawayo and Matabeleland was fruitful as it had put the region onto the EU map.
He said the information corner, furnished with three computers connected to the Internet and a printer, would facilitate research and enhance cooperation between the region and the EU.
“Our coming here was to exchange information with our partners in projects like civic society, public and private sector and politicians and that was fruitful.
“We got information for us to use today and in the future in our cooperation with Matabeleland and Zimbabwe. Bulawayo and Matabeleland are now very significant in our map,” he said.
“Being in Bulawayo was an enriching experience for us as this will steer the future of cooperation. And as a small token of acknowledgement to Bulawayo we hand over this EU Corner, which will be permanently renewed and hope it will be part of the future of this region.”
He said the information corner would cater for the needs of everyone who would want to research and get information about investment and trade opportunities and ties with the EU.
Thursday’s round-table session was supposed to be attended by politicians from different political parties in Matabeleland although only a few attended.
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Sithembiso Nyoni sent a representative while the Minister of Regional Integration and International Cooperation, Mrs Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga of MDC and Dr Dumiso Dabengwa of Zapu presented papers.
Minister Misihairambwi-Mushonga said the problems of Matabeleland that had caused marginalisation of the region were as a result of a tribal attitude and the region could only develop once everyone in the country understands that talking about the issues was not being rebellious.
Dr Dabengwa said the issue of water shortages should be priority number one for Matabeleland region.
Participants also felt that there was a huge influx of people from other regions who were taking up jobs which could be occupied by people from Matabeleland.