Arcadia Foundation

European Union supremo Herman Van Rompuy today stated the bloc was ready to take a fresh look at sanctions against Zimbabwe, pending political developments, one of which Zimbabweans speculate to be the reappointment of MDC Treasurer Roy Bennett.

Speaking at an EU-South Africa summit, Van Rompuy noted Zimbabwean moves to create a new constitution as part of a road map to elections, a process launched by the unity government formed by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last February.

“In case of positive developments in Zimbabwe we’d be ready to look at fresh measures,” said Van Rompuy, the president of the EU.

“The EU wants to give Zimbabwe chances of success,” said the president of the 27-nation bloc, noting that the EU as a whole had offered 365 million euros (490 million dollars) over the last 18 months to projects in Zimbabwe aimed at better governance.

While the joint MDC/Zanu government has curbed hyperinflation and made strides towards reeling in foreign investment through political progress (much of which attributed to the MDC and Prime Minister Tsvangirai) President Mugabe has continued to leave out Roy Bennett, arguing that he had to be cleared of terrorism charges before he could be sworn in as deputy minister for Agriculture.

He has since been cleared of the trumped up charges but Police, who have raided his home in the last few weeks, are perpetually on the hunt for the feisty MDC strongman for unspecified reasons. Further, the saga that followed his initial indictment had cast a geopolitical shadow that had deterred said sanctions from being lifted.

This has prompted pro-democracy groups and concerned neutrals to push for a campaign to force Mugabe and his allies in Zanu PF to end Bennet’s political woes.

“We have been following the events taking place in Zimbabwe for the last decade and, more specifically, the events that have been taking place in more recent years. A land that once stood proud for its food production, whose exports were significantly aiding in the well-being of the economy, is at risk of facing desolation and neglect due to the political and racial divisions that are marring your great country of Zimbabwe and preventing your farmers from feeding your sons and daughters, your villages and your people. Sadly, if this situation is not reverted, Zimbabwe might never again be “the Food Basket of Africa,” said the group.

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