European Union (EU) ambassadors have started meetings to deliberate on the so-called targeted sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and members of his inner circle.
The EU Council is expected to announce its final decision sometime next week.
EU Member of Parliament Geoffrey Van Orden said the sanctions will remain in place ading that the on-going discussions are simply to decide what form the measures will take this time and possible additions to the restrictive measures.
The EU sanctions, which include an arms ban, target Mr. Mugabe and 200 of his close associates who the West blames for rights abuses, vote rigging and other undemocratic ills.
Van Orden said not much has changed on the ground in Zimbabwe, especially regarding democratic reforms, violence and human rights despite the formation of a unity government two yearsago.
Director Sidney Chisi of the Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe said with the prevailing situation in the country at the moment, the resurgence of violence and related issues, it’s no surprise that the sanctions won’t be lifted.
The EU has been renewing the targeted sanctions since imposing them in 2002.
