US removes Mugabe’s Arab ally from Zimbabwe sanctions list

The United States government has removed President Robert Mugabe’s Arab business ally Thamer Al-Shanfari from its Zimbabwe sanctions list.

Al-Shanfari was designated in 2008 for allegedly having close ties to Mugabe and his top officials and for using his company Oryx Natural Resources to enable them to access and derive personal benefit from various mining ventures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Al Shanfari denied the allegations that he was associated with the Mugabe.

"I resigned as Chairman of Oryx Natural Resources Ltd in December 2002 and have not been to Zimbabwe since then,” he said when the sanctions were imposed.

“Dr Issa Al Kawari became Chairman and took over management of ONR with Mr Geoffrey White. I have no wish to be associated with those who support the Mugabe regime.

“The US Government has relied upon incorrect intelligence and it is urgent that they put this mistake right, including naming the source of their incorrect information.

“My lawyers have been instructed to remove my name from the US Treasury's sanctions list, through an immediate formal application and Court action if necessary".

Al-Shanfari was removed from the list on Monday.

There are 98 Zimbabwean individuals and 68 entities on the US sanctions list.

The European Union has lifted its sanctions on Zimbabwe except on Mugabe and his wife Grace and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

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