Essential Principles "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. . . . The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."
Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
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- Written by: Adekunle Agbetiloye and sourced by Moses Mbano
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EU refuses to sell weapons to Zimbabwe as 24-year-old arms ban is extended
18 February 2026 10:13 AM
africa.businessinsider.com/arms-ban-is-extended
The EU has extended its arms embargo on Zimbabwe for another year, now lasting until February 2027. Sanctions were first imposed in 2002 due to serious human rights violations under former president Robert Mugabe. The embargo bans the export or technical assistance related to military equipment to Zimbabwe. Despite EU and US sanctions, Zimbabwe has turned to China and Russia for arms, with China supplying over a third of its major weapons imports since 1980.
The bloc first imposed sanctions in February 2002 over serious human rights violations under the government of former President Robert Mugabe, including restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Mugabe stepped down following a military intervention in 2017 and died two years later. Under the measures, it is prohibited to grant, sell, supply or transfer military equipment or related technical assistance to Zimbabwe. The embargo has been renewed periodically since 2004 and was due to expire on February 20, 2026, before the latest extension.
In a statement, the European Council said the EU remains “constructively engaged” with Zimbabwe and hopes to deepen bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment.
Most targeted measures lifted
- The council added that asset freezes and travel bans are no longer in force because no individuals or entities remain designated.
- Zimbabwe Defence Industries, previously the last entity on the sanctions list, was removed last year.
- The United States has taken a tougher stance, placing President Emmerson Mnangagwa on its Global Magnitsky sanctions list in 2024 over alleged abuses following his disputed election victory, Bloomberg reported.
Diversified arms sources beyond the West
Because of the restrictions, Zimbabwe has sourced military equipment from other partners. China has been one of its most prominent suppliers, accounting for more than one-third of the country’s major weapons imports between 1980 and 2009. In 2023, Beijing donated military equipment worth 200 million yuan ($28 million) to support security operations and modernise the armed forces. Russia has also emerged as a supplier, providing arms, ammunition and spare parts, with notable import values recorded in recent years.
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- Written by: Chief Nhlanhlayamngwe Ndiweni & John Burke
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No, this is not a new war, or a new G20 policy newsflash - but it is an onslaught of sorts - from our local "Yellow Dwarf" - Our Sun. A very large solar flare is on its way to Earth and NOAA scientists have produced this intensity map - and Zimbabwe is right in the middle!
So expect radio and GPS interference, mobile disruptions etc. see Dailymail - 11th Nov 2025
The sun erupted in a massive solar flare, the largest of the year, sending a wave of solar activity that could affect Earth starting on Tuesday. A powerful X5.1-class flare, capable of disrupting satellites, high-frequency radio and high-altitude flights, burst from the sun today. The flare caused a radio blackout across Europe and Africa around 5am ET, briefly affecting aviation, maritime, emergency, GPS, radar and satellite communications.
Space scientist Steph Yardley described the solar activity as 'not very common,' noting these extremely energetic particles from the sun are so strong that ground-based detectors can pick them up. 'There have been 75 recorded since 1942,' she posted on X. NOAA scientists are monitoring a possible coronal mass ejection (CME), a huge cloud of solar material and magnetic fields, moving at about 3,000 miles per second.
If it is headed for our planet, it could trigger a strong geomagnetic storm, disturbing Earth’s magnetic field overnight into Wednesday. If it is headed for Earth, it could trigger a strong geomagnetic storm, disturbing Earth’s magnetic field overnight into Wednesday. Auroras may appear as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon. Power grids, GPS navigation, and HF radio communications could all be affected, NOAA shared in an alert.
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- Written by: Kelvin Mhlanga
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WALK FOR FREEDOM:
105KM MARCH FOR ZIMBABWE
Brighton to London | 9–10 August 2025
This is not a celebration. This is a confrontation.
On the 9th and 10th of August 2025, as Zimbabwe marks Heroes Day, we will walk 105 kilometers from Brighton to London — not in honour of a regime, but in resistance to its violence.We walk because Zimbabwe is bleeding.
We walk because millions are voiceless.
We walk because the heroes of Zimbabwe are no longer found in government buildings — they are in graves, in exile, in prisons, in poverty.
The ZANU-PF regime has hijacked our independence and weaponised it against its people. For decades, we’ve witnessed:
- Abductions in the dead of night
- Torture in unmarked cells
- Silencing of dissent with brutality
- Corruption that chokes our economy
- Elections stolen before they begin
While the World looks away, we say: ENOUGH.
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- Written by: Shorayi Spencer Guzha
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ZANU‑PF at the Helm:
Power, Abuse and Systemic Corruption
Human Rights Abuses
Independent monitoring by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) consistently identifies ZANU‑PF as the leading perpetrator of rights violations. In June 2024, ZANU‑PF was responsible for 65% of all recorded violations, with total incidents reaching 137 cases, including assaults, forced participation in political events, and intimidation. Earlier in the year, February saw 188 reported violations, 54.8% attributed to ZANU‑PF action. Civil society and opposition figures are routinely targeted via arrests, prosecutions on trumped-up charges, and violence, tools used by the regime to quell dissent.
Corruption and Crony Capitalism
Corruption is deeply entrenched in Zimbabwe’s political economy. Transparency International ranked Zimbabwe at 21/100 on its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index: 158th of 180 countries. State institutions, including the judiciary and police, have been repurposed to serve party interests. High-profile scandals include the Command Agriculture fraud, a COVID‑19 mask scheme, and a cancer‑machine contract, all tied to ZANU‑PF officials or associates. Notably, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a close associate of President Mnangagwa, is sanctioned by the US and UK for exploiting political connections to profit from state contracts and foreign currency deals. Wicknell Chivhayo and many others are benefiting from corruption at the expense of the starving citizens.
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- Written by: John Burke
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In Recognition of AFRICA DAY - Sunday 25th MAY 2025: Updated
Today (Saturday 24th May 2025) we presented our Petition to the UK PM at Number 10 Downing Street at 14:00. This had been arranged (3 weeks ago) with the DSLO (Downing Street Liaison Office Police Unit). In addition, a copy will be e-mailed to the Zimbabwe Desk within the FCDO located in King Charles Street (Accessable via the arch opposite the front door to 10 Downing Street!)
6 Activists were cleared to enter the gates of Downing Street to handover at that 'famous' front door - with a letter box inscribed with the words "First Lord of the Treasury"Note However, due to train delays and other emergecies only 3.5 (three and one half!) entered the famous courtyard at Number 10!!
This article became 'LIVE' at 14:30 as planned, after we physically delivered the written petition, and the wriiten document can be read or downloaded at this LINK - Click Here to Read/Download
We have done this many times before as can be seen on this link to our summary of the last 33 months of activism and demonstrations 16 Events Not Out - as a nod to Zimbabwe's cricket team at Trent Bridge (May 22nd to Africa Day - 25th May 2025)
Diana Machingauta, Vengai Mutsawu, Tatenda Changambika, Tawanda Matangambiri, Mollin Muteto and Happiness Ncube, will be delivering the Petition to the Offices within 10 Downing Street. Tawanda will be filming the video log of the hand over and comments from all the petitioners about Africa Day, and how Zimbabwe is NOT an ideal representative of the real potential within the Continent!
However things did not go to plan - Tawanda, and Mollin got caught up in the train chaos today so could not arrive in time for the ID Checks at the Gates to Downing Street - they were only 10 minutes late - but the police are VERY strict! Very Strict indeed. Tatenda and Vengai both had family emergencies to contend with. So it was left to myself to take up one place plus Happiness's young daughter to fill in! - See the photo log.
Later today we will get a chance to review our activities and more details about the events as they unfolded. Further we will link to a new FLICKR Album {CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALBUM} of the days demo and Petition with all who attended. Further train chaos followed us - and I was delayed returning home by nearly 3 hours! Thus a more full write up will be finished tomorrow!
We were also ably supported by Dickson Chikwizo, Josephine Jenje, Spence Guzha (Southend CCC), Tamuka Diza (and we had a phone conversation with hisfather - Flemming Diza) and the glorious Tryness Ncube - plus Tawanda and Mollin. In addition we did catch the attention of the several hundred Union Jack waving protesters who were making their views known that they were not happy with Keir Starmer!
The First Lord of the Treasury is one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. This role is usually held by the Prime Minister.
Since the 17th century, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have collectively carried out duties that were previously held by the Lord High Treasurer (head of His Majesty’s Treasury).
The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury also include:
- the Second Lord of the Treasury - the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has most of the functional financial responsibilities
- Junior Lords Commissioners of the Treasury - other members of the government, usually government whips in the House of Commons
10 Downing Street is the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, and not of the Prime Minister.
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We asked:
Within the last 45 years since Zimbabwe's independence (18th April 1980) has Zanu PF simply morphed into a new type of Black Colonialists? How has Zimbabwe become "enriched" under the corrupt Zanu PF regime?
AI Deep Research Constructed the reply below:
Since Zimbabwe’s independence on April 18, 1980, ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front) has been the dominant political force, ruling continuously for the past 45 years.
The question of whether ZANU-PF has morphed into a new type of "Black Colonialists" hinges on comparing their governance to colonial exploitation, where a minority elite subjugates and extracts wealth from the majority. As for how Zimbabwe has become "enriched" under their rule, this likely probes whether the country—or specific groups within it—has benefited materially or otherwise, despite widespread corruption allegations.
ZANU-PF’s trajectory suggests a shift from its liberation roots to a system where power and resources are concentrated among a loyal elite, resembling colonial dynamics in some ways. After independence, Robert Mugabe’s initial reconciliation rhetoric aimed to unite a fractured nation, integrating ZANU-PF, ZAPU, and even white Rhodesians into government. However, the 1980s Gukurahundi campaign—where the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade killed an estimated 20,000 mostly Ndebele civilians in Matabeleland—marked an early turn toward authoritarian control, sidelining ZAPU and enforcing ZANU-PF dominance. The 1987 Unity Accord merged ZAPU into ZANU-PF, creating a de facto one-party state, a move critics argue prioritized power over pluralism.
Economically, ZANU-PF inherited a robust system—once dubbed the "breadbasket of Africa"—with a GDP growth rate of about 5% annually pre-independence. Yet, over decades, policies like the 2000 Fast Track Land Reform dismantled this. While intended to redistribute land from white farmers (0.6% of the population holding 70% of fertile land) to black Zimbabweans, it often enriched party loyalists—war veterans, cronies, and elites—rather than the broader population. Agricultural output crashed, exports dwindled, and hyperinflation hit, peaking at 79.6 billion percent monthly in 2008. The rural poor gained some land, but productivity tanked due to lack of support, while urban decay and unemployment soared. Life expectancy dropped from 68 in 1980 to 34 by the early 2000s, reflecting collapsed healthcare and living standards.
Corruption has been a hallmark, with scandals like the 1980s Paweni Scandal, the 1987 Zisco Steel fiasco, and recent US-sanctioned dealings involving Emmerson Mnangagwa, VP Constantino Chiwenga, and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The elite—military brass, party officials, and connected tycoons—amassed wealth through mining (gold, diamonds), fuel deals, and state contracts, often via opaque firms like Tagwirei’s Sakunda Holdings. Meanwhile, 50% of Zimbabweans live in abject poverty today, a stark contrast to the colonial era’s white minority privilege, but now with a black ruling class as the beneficiaries.
Has ZANU-PF become "Black Colonialists"? The colonial parallel fits in their extraction of wealth for a minority while suppressing dissent—elections since 2000 are widely criticized as rigged, with violence (e.g., 2008’s Operation Mavhoterapapi) mirroring colonial coercion. Yet, unlike colonialists, ZANU-PF’s legitimacy rests on its anti-colonial struggle, a narrative it wields to justify control, even as it alienates the masses it once claimed to liberate.
"Enrichment" under ZANU-PF is lopsided. The nation’s formal GDP shrank from a potential $52 billion (if 5% growth had held) to $14 billion by 2016, per Zimbabwe News estimates. However, the party elite and their networks have grown rich—mansions in Harare’s Borrowdale Brooke, stakes in Marange diamond fields, and offshore accounts tell the tale. For ordinary Zimbabweans, any enrichment is survivalist: small-scale farming on redistributed land or informal trading amid economic ruin. Education, a post-independence bright spot (90.7% literacy by 2013), has eroded with underfunded schools, though it remains a legacy of early ZANU-PF investment.
In sum, ZANU-PF’s 45-year reign has echoes of colonial exploitation—power and profit for a few, stagnation for most—cloaked in liberation rhetoric. Zimbabwe’s "enrichment" is real but selective, a veneer of progress atop a hollowed-out state.