Britain Steps Up Pressure on Zimbabwe's Mugabe Government

Strategic Insights -

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook announced the suspension of new export licences for arms and military equipment to Zimbabwe, in response to President Robert Mugabe's inflammatory speech against Britain and the Commonwealth. The move is part of a wider campaign to curb Mugabe's government attacks on white farmers and opposition parties. Cook's announcement was made in a Commons statement, where he accused Mugabe of using "anti-imperialist" rhetoric to justify plans to redistribute white-owned farmland to poor black peasants. However, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai questioned the effectiveness of the move, saying it would have a "minimal" impact and enable Mugabe to claim victimhood.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain has suspended new export licences for arms and military equipment to Zimbabwe, effective immediately.
  • The decision follows President Mugabe's inflammatory speech against Britain and the Commonwealth, in which he vowed to redistribute white-owned farmland to poor black peasants.
  • Foreign Secretary Robin Cook accused Mugabe of using "anti-imperialist" rhetoric to justify his government's actions, saying it was merely a "condition of crisis" to secure re-election.
  • 14 political activists have been murdered in Zimbabwe since the start of election campaigning, all of them supporters of the opposition.
  • The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has urged Britain not to impose economic sanctions, saying it would be better coming from international organisations.
  • The decision to suspend export licences only includes new licence applications, and does not affect existing contracts or spare parts for previous agreements.
  • The Foreign Office has stressed that sanctions are not on the Commonwealth's agenda, and that the organisation seeks "constructive engagement" and free credible elections to ease Zimbabwe through a difficult time.

Statistics:

  • 450 Land Rovers were halted from being supplied to the Zimbabwean police.
  • 14 political activists have been murdered in Zimbabwe since the start of election campaigning.
  • 20 years is how long President Mugabe has been in power.
  • 1 in 5 of Zimbabwe's farmland is owned by white farmers, who are being targeted by the Mugabe government's land reform programme.
  • 200 Hawk trainers are owned by the Zimbabwean air force.

Sources:

  • "Britain Steps Up Pressure on Zimbabwe's Mugabe Government" (The Guardian, 2000)
  • Robin Cook, House of Commons statement, 2000
  • BBC News, "Zimbabwe: Report"
  • The Guardian, "Mugabe Vows to Carry On"