The dialogue followed years of informal engagements,
opening a new page in relations between the two parties.
The dialogue framework is based on Article 8 of the Cotonou
Partnership Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
countries which outlines the specific modalities for regular, comprehensive and
balanced political dialogue between the two sides.
EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Timo Olkkonenn recently told
NewsDay that a follow-up meeting with Harare was disrupted by the COVID 19
pandemic.
“So far, two political dialogue sessions have been held.
The next edition will go ahead once the EU and the Foreign Affairs ministry can
find a mutually suitable date,” Olkkonenn said.
“The EU is engaging political parties and a wide range of
other stakeholders in the Zimbabwean society. An engagement with civil society
and youth are something that the EU particularly values.”
He, however, said formal dialogue would only take place
between the EU and the government and there were no pre-conditions set.
“Of course, we are in continuous contact with the
government, particularly through its Foreign Affairs ministry,” he said.
The EU has been demanding reforms from the Zimbabwean
government as well as the upholding of human rights and return to constitutionalism
as Mnangagwa’s government has been accused of shrinking the democratic space.
The government has been under EU and the United States
spotlight for allegedly using State institutions to clamp down on dissent,
especially opposition supporters and human rights defenders.Last month, the EU
condemned the continued incarceration of MDC Alliance MP Joanah Mamombe and MDC
Alliance activist Cecilia Chimbiri, saying the selective application of the law
in their case was a violation of human rights.
Last week, the US adjudged Mnangagwa’s government as one of
the worst administrations in terms of human rights violations in the world
alongside China, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.
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