A U.S. Congressional delegation arrived in Zimbabwe late Wednesday for a two-day visit to assess progress implementing the Global Political Agreement and economic reforms by the power-sharing unity government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Leading the five-member delegation is Rep. Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat. The African-American congressman met with Mr. Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai in Harare last September.
The U.S. embassy in Harare said in a statement that the delegation will meet with leaders of the three governing parties and non-governmental organizations. Its members will also inspect U.S.-funded humanitarian projects.
Relations between Zimbabwe and the United States have thawed since the formation of the unity government, but Washington has refused to lift travel and financial sanctions targeting President Mugabe and his inner circle, saying Harare must institute convincing political reforms.
U.S. Embassy Spokesman Timothy Gerhardson told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the U.S. delegation wants to assess progress since its last visit to Harare five months ago.
"They are here to assess the Global Political Agreement, economic reforms, they want to visit U.S.-funded humanitarian programs and see for themselves the progress that might have been made since their last visit in 2009," he said.
