EU renews Zimbabwe’s armaments sanctions

The EU has extended sanctions on Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) by a further year. An embargo on weapons that might be used against Zimbabweans and an assets freeze will remain until 20 February 2025, according to an EU statement. ‘The EU measures in place consist of an embargo on arms and equipment which might be used for internal repression, and a targeted assets freeze against one entity, Zimbabwe Defence Industries,’ it said. New Zimbabwe reports that ZDI was first sanctioned alongside late President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. The entity was identified as a key enabler of Mugabe’s repressive state that disrespected basic human rights and went as far as sanctioning violence and killings of dissenting voices. Efforts by his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who notably took power through a coup, to re-engage with the West and ensure removal of restrictions on ZDI and individuals within Zanu PF have been unsuccessful.