Britain tells Zimbabwe prerequisites for re-engagement

Britain told Zimbabwe at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meeting last week that comprehensive political and economic reforms and commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law were prerequisites for Zimbabwe’s reengagement with the international community.

Minister of State Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon told the House of Lords yesterday that the director general of the Department for International Development Moazzam Malik told this to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on 16 October.

Malik also reinforced the need for comprehensive political and economic reform and the protection of the poorest to Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo on 18 October.

Lord Ahmad was responding to a question from Lord Oates when last the British government met with the government of Zimbabwe at ministerial level to discuss the economic crisis in the country.

Q & A:

Lord Oates Liberal Democrat: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last met with the government of Zimbabwe at ministerial level to discuss the economic crisis in that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State: ​On 16 October, Department for International Development Director General Moazzam Malik met Finance Minister Ncube at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in New York to discuss the economic and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. He stressed that comprehensive political and economic reform, and commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law, are prerequisites for Zimbabwe’s reengagement with the international community. The UK Ambassador met Foreign Minister Moyo on 18 October and discussed the economic crisis facing the country, reinforcing the need for comprehensive political and economic reform and the protection of the poorest.

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