The outside world is sending somewhat mixed messages on Zimbabwe. The International Monetary Fund has restored Zim’s voting rights, albeit with the caveat that any new loans will only be considered until it pays arrears of about US$140 million to the Poverty Reduction & Growth Trust (PRGT). The European Union, meanwhile, believes that the country has made “insufficient” strides toward democratization. Last week the EU extended sanctions against Zimbabwe for another year, renewing an arms embargo and a visa ban and asset freeze against President Mugabe and his henchmen. The Europeans have declared that they “stand ready” to keep sanctions “under constant review and to revoke them” if Mugabe makes concessions toward Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change, which continue to function much as an opposition party despite their putative status as coequals within a governing coalition.
