HARARE – United States (US) sanctions against President Robert Mugabe’s government will not undermine a regional initiative led by South Africa to find a lasting solution to the Zimbabwe crisis, a top Harare-based American diplomat has said. 

The US, which has since 2001 maintained targeted sanctions against about 130 top Zimbabwe officials, last week announced that it was widening sanctions to include 40 more individuals with close ties to Mugabe’s government. 

South African deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad on Tuesday slammed the US move calling it “absolutely nonsensical collective punishment” that could harm attempts by President Thabo Mbeki to broker a solution to Zimbabwe’s problems. 

US public affairs officer in Harare Paul Engelstad said Washington backed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiative led by Mbeki although there were differences over the issue of sanctions. 

Asked whether widening sanctions would not undermine the SADC initiative, Engelstad responded: “Not at all. We support the SADC initiative without reservation and commend President Mbeki for his leadership and public commitment to deliver free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.” 

The diplomat said the US had expanded sanctions against the Harare administration to “make the point that the violence and intimidation must stop now in order for free and fair elections to occur,” adding that America would consider more punitive measures if necessary. 

SADC last March tasked Mbeki to lead efforts to resolve Zimbabwe’s crisis by facilitating dialogue between Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. 

Mbeki has said he is happy with progress in talks between ZANU PF and the MDC but analysts say he must urge Mugabe to end political violence and repeal tough security and press laws if next year’s polls are to be free and fair. 

Western nations and rights groups accuse Mugabe of widespread human rights violations and wrecking his country's economy, forcing many Zimbabweans into poverty. 

The European Union, Australia, Switzerland and New Zealand have also imposed visa and financial sanctions against Mugabe’s government, with Wellington announcing on Wednesday that it was widening travel sanctions against Harare.    

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said an existing travel ban had been extended to block adult children of Mugabe's top officials from gaining student visas and permits for entry to New Zealand. 

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her scathing attack on Mugabe’s controversial human rights record at the European Union- Africa summit, which saw Harare officials labelling her a racist. 

"Freedom and tolerance, democracy and human rights form the foundation for existing side-by-side in dignity," Merkel told lawmakers in the German lower House of Parliament on Wednesday. 

Addressing the summit that took place in Lisbon last weekend, Merkel criticised Mugabe saying the Zimbabwean leader’s controversial rule  “was damaging the image of the new Africa.” 

Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, speaking from Harare, accused Merkel of being a racist and said she should shut up. 

The German Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the charge d'affaires at the Zimbabwean embassy in Berlin to protest at Ndlovu's undiplomatic outburst. - ZimOnline