The US is ready to change its policy on Zimbabwe if the country holds a credible referendum on a new constitution and General Election next year, Washington’s envoy to Harare has said.
Newly appointed ambassador Bruce Wharton made the pledge Thursday during his first meeting with President Robert Mugabe in Harare, where they discussed bilateral relations.
“President Mugabe and I had a good discussion of where our relationship has been over the last few years, and how we would like it to develop in the coming years,” Mr Wharton said after the meeting.
“I delivered President (Barack) Obama’s greeting to President Mugabe and expressed the US Government’s sincere desire to find common ground to enhance the bilateral relationship.”
The US has maintained targeted sanctions against imposed against Zimbabwe since 2002, after disputed presidential elections.
Calls by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to review the embargo following the formation of an inclusive government have been ignored by Washington.
However, the European Union has relaxed its own set of sanctions against President Mugabe and his inner circle and promised to lift the embargo entirely if Zimbabwe held a credible General Election.
Mr Wharton added that the US future policy on Zimbabwe would be determined by progress on democratic reforms.
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