Question of the Week: Are the sanctions which the EU has imposed on Robert Mugabe’s government having any real effect?

Date: 02/12/04

Morgan Tsvangirai is leader of Zimbabwean opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

We asked him: Are the sanctions which the EU has imposed on Robert Mugabe's government having any real effect?

Tsvangirai: What I'm saying to the Europeans is: stay the course with your policy in Zimbabwe until Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF deliver free and fair relations.

The targeted sanctions have had the effect of isolating the regime and the perpetrators of violence in Zimbabwe. Mugabe has responded by being defiant to international opinion. But the real issue is that without having western European diplomacy restored to him, there is no way he can start rebuilding the country.

All we need is to have a tightening of current measures. Any other measures would not have the support of the MDC as they would hurt the victims rather than the perpetrators.

The EU must also use its leverage and influence with SADC [the Southern African Development Community]. Thabo Mbeki [the South African president] has a critical role to play and I don't doubt his commitment to the resolution of the crisis. I know people expect Mbeki to be more forceful but he relies on persuasion rather than force. A combination of quiet diplomacy and European pressure will help.

Can the crisis be resolved with Mugabe staying in power? Why not? Mugabe has been transformed from a hero in the liberation struggle to a dictator. He knows he has his legacy to consider and that is a crucial element.

Question answered by Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwean opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

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