US to extend targeted sanctions

by Violet Gonda
19 September 2005

International pressure is mounting on Robert Mugabe and his cronies as the United States reports that it is going to tighten and extend the targeted sanctions, to include a travel ban on their families.

It’s reported that US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer said the US Treasury was putting the final touches to an order that would bar Mugabe, his senior officials and their families from visiting the United States.

The move is aimed at further isolating Mugabe and is a sign of growing US impatience with Zimbabwe, whose relations with the West are at an all-time low because of human rights abuses.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the former US ambassador to South Africa said travel visas for study purposes would also be affected.

The US has stressed that these are targeted sanctions and Washington would continue to provide food aid and other humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe.