Britain says Zimbabwe must seek advice of IMF to implement comprehensive reforms

Britain says Zimbabwe must seek the advice of the International Monetary Fund to implement comprehensive and difficult economic reforms necessary to address the country’s economic challenges.

This was said by Minister of State Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon in the House of Lords when he was asked by Viscount Waverley what the British government’s assessment of the current protests in Harare, the police tactics used in response to those protests and the potential impact of the stability of the country after the 150 percent fuel price increase was.

He said that while Britain condemned the violent behaviour of some protesters and the unlawful acts such as arson and looting, it was deeply concerned that Zimbabwe’s security forces had acted disproportionately in response.

“In particular, there are disturbing reports of use of live ammunition, intimidation and excessive force. On 17 January the Minister for Africa summoned the Zimbabwean Ambassador to highlight our concern at the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe,” Lord Ahmad said.

“Comprehensive and difficult economic reforms are necessary to address Zimbabwe’s economic challenges. However, the Government must implement these as part of a broad strategy, seeking the advice of the International Monetary Fund.”

British legislators have shown keen interest in Zimbabwe with one peer even asking the British government to consider recolonising Zimbabwe to end the chaos.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change and several non-governmental organisations have called for international invention to bring the country back to normalcy.

Zimbabwe has instead set up a task force to assess the damage caused by the disturbances.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also appointed a 24 member advisory council which will serve as his sounding board on key economic reforms, issues and initiatives in line with his Zimbabwe is open for Business and Dialogue mantra.

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