ASSESSMENTS

Zimbabwe: The Political Consequences of Lifting Diamond Sanctions

Sep 19, 2013 | 10:31 GMT

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe looks on during his inauguration on Aug. 22.

(ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The European Union announced Sept. 17 that sanctions against the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corp., whose diamonds have long buoyed President Robert Mugabe's regime, will be lifted. The move follows Zimbabwe's July 31 parliamentary and presidential elections, which the African community determined were largely credible, and it corresponds with the less confrontational approach Western governments have been advocating recently toward the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. Though the lifting of sanctions was likely intended to encourage political and economic reform in Harare (as well as to give the Belgian diamond industry an advantage in the country), the eased restrictions may further entrench the ruling party and support one party leader in particular in his bid to eventually succeed the long-time president.

Eased restrictions may affect the race to succeed long-time President Robert Mugabe....

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