Obama extends Zimbabwe sanctions

Obama extends Zimbabwe sanctions

• Tsvangirai calls for Zimbabwe sanctions to be lifted

• Mugabe says 'Zimbabwe can help itself' without sanctions

• Tsvangirai warns against Zimbabwe sanctions

• Air Zimbabwe targeted in Canadian sanctions

• Gono, journalists and military officers added to EU sanctions

• UK bank slaps sanctions on wrong Mugabe

Posted to the web: 05/03/2009 12:04:03
UNITED States President Barack Obama has extended sanctions against Zimbabwe for another year.

Obama accuses President Robert Mugabe of continuing to undermine the country's democratic processes.

The White House issued the notice on Wednesday, the same day new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called on the US, the European Union and Australia to lieft all "restrictive measures" against Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai, a long time opposition rival of President Mugabe, entered into a coalition government last month.

"I therefore urge the international community to recognise our efforts and note the progress that we make in this regard and to match our progress by moving towards the removal of restrictive measures," Tsvangirai said in his inaugural address to Zimbabwe's parliament.

Former President George W. Bush first imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2003. The sanctions target scores of people and companies linked to President Robert Mugabe with travel bans and asset freezes.

The sanctions text also states: “…the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against (1) any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee to the Government of Zimbabwe; or (2) any cancellation or reduction of indebtedness owed by the Government of Zimbabwe to the United States or any international financial institution.”

Mugabe blames Western sanctions for Zimbabwe's economic collapse. He says western countries discourage their citizens from investing or visiting Zimbabwe as tourists, and lines of credit are closed to the southern African country.

In a recent interview to mark his 8th birthday, Mugabe said the sanctions were "unfair, illegal and racist economic penalties" against his government for acquiring white-owned farmland for resettlement.

Zimbabwe's inflation is the world's highest and has left most of its people dependent on foreign handouts while a cholera outbreak has killed more than 3,800 people since August.

Analysts say the new coalition government will depend on international goodwill. Regional leaders are meeting soon to discuss a possible US$5 billion bailout for Ziombabwe.
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