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Mr
Mugabe has been in power since independence in 1980. AFP
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As the world's oldest
ruler - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe - celebrates his 93rd birthday
today, the European Union has voted to extend economic sanctions against
him.
The
measures restrict travel, freeze assets and prohibit military trade between EU
member states and President Mugabe, his wife Grace and the defence
industry.
However,
the EU council voted yesterday to partially lift its arms embargo. It will now
allow exports of explosives that are used in civilian mining and infrastructure
development.
The
sanctions will be reviewed again next year. The EU first imposed sanctions on
President Mugabe in 2002 following invasion of white-owned farms, alleged
electoral fraud and violence against the main opposition party and human rights
activists.
President Mugabe says the sanctions have caused untold suffering in his country, and were part of a plan by the UK government to remove him from power.
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