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Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 15 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Zimbabwe, with reference to the recent riots and protests by the Zimbabwean Army; and if he will make a statement. (242181)

There have been outbreaks of violence by soldiers not being able to access their pay after banks appeared to run out of cash. This is a further illustration of the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe caused by the misrule of Mugabe’s government. Restrictions on public meetings and marches persist. Abductions of individuals belonging to the MDC and others defending human rights continue to demonstrate that Mugabe has no intention of reform and genuine power sharing. The EU has unanimously condemned the current health crisis as being a consequence of Mugabe’s misrule and has agreed to extend targeted measures against his clique. We are providing humanitarian support for those effected by disease and hunger. We will continue to work with the wider international community who are increasingly vocal in their calls for change in Zimbabwe.