Declaration by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Zimbabwe
- On: 26.11.2008
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union deeply regrets that Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Graça Machel, who had planned to conduct a humanitarian mission to assess the situation in Zimbabwe last weekend, were unable to travel there. The information that this mission could have provided to the international community, on behalf of the Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, would have been particularly useful at a time when the humanitarian situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate.
Over half of Zimbabwe’s population is today dependent on food aid, 80% of the population lives precariously, one child in four has lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the deterioration of infrastructure, particularly medical, has led to the outbreak of cholera, resulting in almost 300 deaths thus far. Given this context, an assessment of the humanitarian situation was not only necessary but also critical.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is worried by the standoff that has been affecting negotiations for over two months now. It supports the mediation of the SADC and hopes that it will enable the formation of a government reflecting the popular vote as democratically expressed during the 29 March elections. It encourages the African Union and the UN as members of the reference group to pursue their mission to promote a credible solution to this crisis.
The European Union has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Zimbabwe and its willingness, once it has guarantees on the restoration of the rule of law and the respect for human rights, to adopt together important measures that should result in the consolidation of democracy and ensure the country’s economic and social recovery.
- Updated: 26.12.2008
