New Government

Morgan Tsvangirai’s appointment as Prime Minister offers the possibility of a change for the better. He and his team have a formidable challenge bringing legitimacy and reform to Zimbabwe’s government, in improving the economy, and in delivering basic services to Zimbabwe’s people.

What is the UK doing?

We will be looking for the whole government to demonstrate, through its actions, a clear commitment to the reforms and change that the Zimbabwean people demanded last March. This will determine our formal engagement, including the provision of donor support. We expect the new administration to demonstrate its commitment to reform through:

• the immediate release of all political prisoners, an end to political violence and intimidation, and the repeal of repressive legislation
  
  
• the appointment of a credible finance team, the production of a strong economic statement and engagement with the international financial institution
  
  
• a clear roadmap to the next national elections with the guarantee that they will be conducted freely and fairly in full view of the international community.

We also condemn the recent increase in farm seizures by ZANU(PF) supporters. The seizure of many of the few remaining commercially productive commercial farms is particularly reprehensible at a time when nearly seven million people are receiving international food aid. We urge the judicial authorities in Zimbabwe to take action to end these seizures, which contravene the September 15 SADC agreement.

Progress so far

We hope that Tendai Biti, as Minister of Finance, will be given sufficient space to bring about necessary change. His appointment is a positive step towards rectifying Zimbabwe's economic collapse. However, a number of political prisoners remain in detention, including Roy Bennett who was arrested on the day of his intended inauguration as Deputy Minister of Agriculture. We also regret that all permanent government secretaries were unilaterally appointed by ZANU(PF) and that the rate of farm seizures by ZANU(PF) supporters has increased dramatically since the formation of the transition government. ZANU(PF) needs to win the trust of MDC and the international community.

Sanctions

On 26 January, before any power-sharing deal was announced, the EU renewed and extended the list of those facing targeted measures in the form of an asset freeze and travel ban, as a result of their association with the Mugabe regime. A total of 243 individuals and entities are now on the list. These measures do not hurt ordinary Zimbabweans They are targeted at figures associated with the Mugabe regime and its sources of finance. There is an EU ban on selling arms to Zimbabwe.

What is the UK doing?

The UK has no unilateral sanctions in place. We will need to discuss with the EU whether, when or under what conditions we lift the sanctions.

For us, evidence of change and commitment to reform on the ground will be the most important factor influencing our position on sanctions.

We continue to support a sensible approach, lifting sanctions only after the new administration has demonstrated its commitment to reform. This approach is supported by Morgan Tsvangirai.