The ambassador had tried to justify her country’s sanctions on Zimbabwe which the government said it will review at the end of this year after her contractual obligations with the European Union are over.
The EU last week suspended sanctions on a number of Zimbabweans including Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Britain, however, said it will re-impose sanctions on Grace Mugabe at the end of this year.
“The UK Government has always been clear that we believe changes to sanctions regimes against Zimbabwe should reflect progress on the political and economy reforms promised by President Mnangagwa,” Robinson tweeted today.
She received a barrage of condemnations with Musaigwa saying: “Just be straight to the point your Excellency, that sanctions shall be removed when Zanu PF is removed from power, most probably by the effects of the same sanctions. Finish!”
Marshall Gore wrote: “Your expectations must be realistic given challenges that present when reforming an economy under sanctions. To me~ removing the sanctions will by far deliver the greatest reform to our economy.The sanctions are the biggest stabling block to our economic growth & not politics.”
States Chagwedera, agreed with the ambassador: “Thank you Melanie for calling a spade by its name, ‘Sanctions against Zimbabwe, watopedza. Hezvoko.”
Charles Chirove asked whether Britain now had sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“And you now call them sanctions yet your predecessors called them ‘restrictive measures’? Has the United Kingdom itself reformed? You still treat Zimbabwe as a colony that is yr problem.”
He was supported by Matigari, who wrote: “It’s not going to happen Melanie. Your Tony Blair instigated sanctions will not trigger what you want here. We don’t get forced into changes by brutal colonists of yesterday. Your term will end soon and the next person will come but Zimbabwe will remain zvairi.”
Shephard Garikai, added: “We have come a long way and survived most difficult times (2008) but remained strong. NEVER COLLAPSED !!!”
Darlington differed: “The UK is fighting for the people of Zimbabwe. Zanupf must first remove the sanctions it has imposed on the people of Zimbabwe.”
He was supported by Peter Munyanduri who wrote: “May God the Almighty, most gracious and most merciful bless your country & its good people for being a voice of the voiceless people in Zimbabwe! Your Sterling work cannot go unnoticed! God bless you!”
Elijah Chihota accused British of acting in bad faith.
“Zimbabwe is emerging from 20 years of isolation from the international community & you don’t expect that to happen overnight. After all the sanctions that UK imposed on Zimbabwe are a stumbling block to those economic and political reforms. UK is acting in bad faith,” he wrote.
Pee Nyamzihwa wrote: “I have one question Untie Melanie, I hope you shall answer me in good faith,Why were there no Sanctions during the time of Gukurahundi?”
Tapiwa Mudadi added: “Have you tried that with BAE’s best client (Saudi Arabia) whose human rights record makes Zimbabwe political angels?”
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This post was last modified on February 24, 2020 9:08 pm
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