Sanctions were first imposed against Zimbabwe in 2002, in response to political repression conducted by the government of then President Robert Mugabe and extensive political corruption. Mugabe was deposed in a 2017 coup by current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
On 1st March 2023 the EU extended the sanctions programme for another year. On 2nd February 2024, the EU announced that these measures will be extended for a further year until 20th February 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures In Respect Of Zimbabwe
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
•Apply to five individuals – Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga; Perence Shiri, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement; Phillip Sibanda, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces; former Zimbabwe Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri; senior security figure Happyton Bonyongwe; and Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Arms Embargo:
• A ban on the supply of arms or related material to the Government of Zimbabwe, although the supply of certain equipment for civilian use in mining or infrastructure projects is authorised.
Exemptions
1. Travel Ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds or for attending inter-governmental meetings.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services and fees for the holding of frozen funds.
3. The travel ban and asset freeze are not applicable to four persons listed in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2020/213 (see Links)
Sanction Name
Regulation on measures against Zimbabwe
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Senior officials in the government of Zimbabwe and several state-owned enterprises, as well as any other parties found to have engaged in actions or policies which undermine the country’s democratic processes or in human rights abuses relating to political repression. The programme includes a ban on the supply of military equipment and goods that may be used for internal repression.
Exemptions
1. Asset freeze exemptions can be granted to protect Swiss interests.
2. Travel ban exemptions may be granted on humanitarian grounds, to attend international conferences, to participate in political dialogue concerning Zimbabwe or if the protection of Swiss interests requires it.
Sanction Name
Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
•Apply to five individuals – Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga; Perence Shiri, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement; Phillip Sibanda, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces; former Zimbabwe Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri; senior security figure Happyton Bonyongwe; and Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Arms Embargo:
• A ban on the supply of arms or related materiel to the Government of Zimbabwe, although the supply of certain equipment for civilian use in mining or infrastructure projects is authorised.
Exemptions
1. Travel Ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds or for the attendance of inter-governmental meetings.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services and fees for the holding of frozen funds.
3. The travel ban and asset freeze are not applicable to four persons listed in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2020/213 (see Links)
