To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to send an African Union (a) envoy and (b) observer mission to Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. (204845)

[holding answer 12 May 2008]: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission undertook a mission to the Southern African region, including Zimbabwe, from 3-5 May 2008. The mission was part of a wider effort, by the AU, to engage with the situation in Zimbabwe. No plans have emerged for a further specific envoy to be sent. The AU sent an observer mission to monitor elections in Zimbabwe and have indicated that a farther mission would be deployed to observe any second round.