EU Expanding Zimbabwe Travel Ban, Called to Investigate Diamond Trade

Zimbabwean officials are faced with expanded travel sanctions, set Monday by the European Union. The decision follows a call by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to resign.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed Zimbabwe diamond trade at General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels Monday Photo: The Council of the European Union

France, the current president of the EU, is leading the pressure to end Mugabe reign.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Brussels Monday decided to update the list of persons subject to EU “individual restrictive measures, in particular by adding to the list names of persons actively engaged in violence or human rights infringements,” the council announced.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen accused Mugabe of profiting from illegal diamond trade, adding that the EU should find ways to stop the illicit trade.

The Council further reiterated its deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in African country, particularly in light of the cholera epidemic and the continuing violence against supporters of the MDC opposition party.