Zimbabwe to Re-Engage with the Rest of the World

by Jordan Yerman | April 5, 2009 at 11:54 am

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Harare has announced new plans to re-engage with the rest of the world, following a long period of increasing isolation which began in 2003, when Robert Mugabe pulled Zimbabwe out of the African Commonwealth. The unity government is in a weekend meeting to try to come up with a solution to increasing farm violence.

This is a tall order, since Zimbabwe's economy is in ruins, its human rights record is abysmal, and journalism is heavily restricted.

However, increased communication with the rest of the world means hope for those who are in most desperate need of it.

Restrictions on foreign media are due to be lifted and human rights restored.

Correspondents at the talks say there is some scepticism that such ambitious targets can be met in such a short space of time.

After Zimbabwe quit the Commonwealth in 2003, the EU and US imposed travel bans on Mr Mugabe and his circle.

Ahead of the crucial meeting, Tsvangirai was quoted in the Zimbabwe media this week saying that the West needed to back Zimbabwe, however "imperfect" the unity agreement was.