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EU to ease travel ban on Zimbabwean president

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) will lift travel restrictions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to allow him to perform his duty as African Union (AU) chairman within the bloc, local reports said Wednesday.

EU spokeswoman Catherine Ray was quoted by local media confirming easing of the more than decade-long travel ban when Mugabe travels under his AU chairmanship capacity.

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Phillippe Van Damme said he could not immediately confirm the latest decision when contacted for comment, adding that he will not comment until the official announcement was released later this month.

The EU imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe, his wife Grace Mugabe and several government officials in 2002 following political differences with Harare.

Over the years, the EU has removed all officials except Mugabe and his wife from the sanctions list. The bloc also lifted its economic sanctions on the country last year to pave way for resumption of direct aid to the struggling country.

Mugabe, who is also the chairman of the Southern African Development Community, assumed the one-year rotating AU chairmanship last week.

He said he will not let strained ties between Zimbabwe and the West affect his duty at the AU. Endi