G-8 Members Seek to Further Sanctions in Zimbabwe

On Monday, leaders from the world’s top industrialized nations met at the 2008 G8 Annual Summit in Japan expressing their concerns about the Zimbabwe presidential runoff and agreed to toughen financial sanctions. Last month, President Bush called the presidential runoff a “sham” for running such a ruthless and illegitimate campaign. During the meeting, Bush stated that if Robert Mugabe stays in power, Africa will suffer. Since President Bush feels that the election is a threat to peace and regional stability, U.S. now seeks for international intervention. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice urged for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution that will protect human rights by ending Robert Mugabe’s regime from furthering corruption and violence. Secretary Rice believed to push forth broader and stronger international action, which will end the worsening pre-poll and ensure a free and fair presidential election.

The European Union also threatened to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. 27 European Union leaders drafted a statement against the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party (ZANU-PF), which included a plan of action against those who were responsible for conducting an impartial election and took part in the violence that killed more than 70 activists. At the meeting, European Union senior officials discussed their efforts in tightening sanctions on arms embargo and travel bans against Mugabe and his top officials. Italy Prime Minister, Franco Frattini proposed to withdraw all ambassadors from Zimbabwe. According to Timeline News, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated, “There is a growing support for sanctions against the Mugabe regime being stepped up.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper told African leaders that they should move immediately to put an end to the illegitimate government. If not, the continent will hurt its ability to receive aid from industrialized nations. However, the African Union repeatedly opposed the sanctions. Senegal leader Abdoulaye Wade strongly believes sanctions would not change the regime and could create internal conflict. Enforcing sanctions immediately would not provide adequate time to possibly put together a meditation.

G8 leaders fiercely discussed their concerns to South African President Thabo Mbeki regarding his mediation efforts. President Mbeki insisted to not push forth sanctions because it will further economic hardships in Zimbabwe, which will cause a civil war. Instead, both parties should continue to seek quiet diplomacy. Mbeki strongly believes that there is still hope to negotiate a power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Unfornately, Tsvangirai refused to meet with Mugabe and Mbeki, which convinced G8 members that Mbeki is not the appropriate mediator.