EU sustains arms embargo on Zimbabwe

The European Union has renewed its arms embargo on Zimbabwe for another year, and frozen assets of the country's state-owned arms manufacturer, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, citing the “ongoing acute humanitarian crisis” and “yet to be investigated alleged role of the armed and security forces in human rights abuses”, including the killing of six protesters in 2018 the day after elections were held - an international panel led by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe blamed the police and army for the shootings, though no one has been charged. The embargo has lasted since 2002, and bans all EU member states from trading weapons with Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Defence Industries is owned by the Zimbabwe Defence Force and produces ammunition for small arms and a range of shells for mortars and grenade launchers.