The EU has extended its arms embargo on Zimbabwe for another year, now lasting until February 2027
Source: EU refuses to sell weapons to Zimbabwe as 24-year-old arms ban is extended | Business Insider Africa
The European Union has renewed its arms embargo on Zimbabwe for another year, extending the measure until February 2027 after its annual sanctions review.
- 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The council added that asset freezes and travel bans are no longer in force because no individuals or entities remain designated.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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