The European Union has renewed the arms embargo against Zimbabwe. Sanctions still remain in place. The claim is related to the country's human rights situation, but other African nations that favor EU policies are exempt. While sanctions against government officials can be justified, economic warfare against the population is not. The UK is the most vocal in keeping sanctions. The reason is not out of the concern for human rights, rather to have influence over a former colony. There was little condemnation with the military coup in 2017 that ended the Robert Mugabe presidency. The reason was due to the idea that President Emmerson Mnangawa would be more accommodating to EU foreign policy objectives. His repression became more apparent with the imprisonment of journalists and opposition figures. Zimbabwe internal politics need reform, but it should not be directed by external foreign entities . The African Union can be a place of dialogue and regulation of arms being imported into Africa. The global arms trade is a challenge to stability because it aids in the continuation of various conflicts. This arms embargo is not designed to stop some form of military aggression or protect the public from a coup. Zimbabwe may be gradually weakened for future regime change. Whatever the true intention is Zimbabweans still live under unfavorable conditions.
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