Is Britain already looking at Zimbabwe “after Mugabe”?

Britain is frequently urging the Zimbabwe government to implement the new constitution adopted in 2013 as it provides the foundation for long-term improved governance and human rights, Minister of State, Department of International Development, Grant Shapps said on Tuesday.

Shapps was responding to a question from Conservative Member of Parliament Andrew Rosindell who wanted to know what steps Britain plans to take to encourage a return to representative, democratic governance in Zimbabwe once President Robert Mugabe ceases to hold the office of President.

“The Government supports progress towards a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe, where the rule of law and human rights are upheld, laying the foundations for long-term sustainable development,” Shapps responded.

“We frequently urge the Zimbabwean government to implement the new constitution agreed in 2013, which provides a foundation for improved governance and human rights, and to make necessary reforms to the electoral system to resolve the shortcomings identified by Southern African Development Community and the African Union observer mission during the 2013 elections.

“The UK also continues to support democracy by working with civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders.”

Q & A:

Andrew Rosindell- Conservative, Romford – To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage a return to representative, democratic governance in Zimbabwe once Mr Mugabe ceases to hold the office of President.

Grant Shapps -The Minister of State, Department for International Development, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs- The Government supports progress towards a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe, where the rule of law and human rights are upheld, laying the foundations for long-term sustainable development. We frequently urge the Zimbabwean government to implement the new constitution agreed in 2013, which provides a foundation for improved governance and human rights, and to make necessary reforms to the electoral system to resolve the shortcomings identified by Southern African Development Community and the African Union observer mission during the 2013 elections. The UK also continues to support democracy by working with civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders.

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