Archive for the ‘Zimbabwe’ Category

US Puts Mugabe Supports on Prohibited Parties List

Friday, January 30th, 2009 by Danielle McClellan

President Bush put 21 companies on the OFAC “black list” last month after discovering they were financially and logistically supporting the regime of Robert Mugabe, who uses a number of schemes to stay in power and live in luxury while the rest of the Zimbabwe population struggles. Of the 21 companies added to the entity list 14 are based in Britain, 2 in the Isle of Man, and the rest are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, British Virgin Islands, Jersey and finally in Florida.

British based business man, John Bredenkam, who is considered to have been closely tied to Mugabe, has had all of his US assets frozen. Recently an article was released explaining that the UK granted Bredenkamp indefinite leave to remain in Britain, where he operates most of his businesses from an office in Berkshire. The majority of Bredenkam’s businesses located in Zimbabwe include tobacco trading, grey-market arms trading and trafficking, equity investments, oil distribution, tourism, sports management, and diamond extraction. Bredenkam’s spokesperson denies all claims that he or any of his companies operate in the grey market.

A spokesman for HM Treasury was asked what action will be taken against Mr.Bredenkam, “We are considering a range of measures with EU partners in response to the continuing impasse in Zimbabwe, including further targeted measures. Announcing these prematurely would be ineffective.”

Mr. Bredenkam strongly disputes any suggestion he gives the regime funds to help Mr. Mugabe to cling to power. His spokesman said: “Just because he is a Zimbabwean and is based in Zimbabwe and has businesses in Zimbabwe does not mean he provides the Zanu(PF) regime with funds. He employs around 1,500 people in his businesses around Zimbabwe-their remuneration supports approximately 6,000 people. Is he meant to quit and put all these people out of work?”

More information available at:

Posted in Denied & Restricted Parties, OFAC, Zimbabwe | Comments Off

State Modifies Proscribed Country Rules on Afghanistan and Zimbabwe

Tuesday, July 30th, 2002 by Maarten Sengers

Two Office of Defense Trade Control (ODTC) Federal Register notices in July modify slightly the rules as they apply to 126.5 proscribed countries Afghanistan and Zimbabwe  (If you have trouble remember which countries, use the mnemonic device “proscribed countries A to Z.)”   The first amends the ITAR to lift a policy of license denial for defense exports destined for the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).  The former is Karzia’s Government and the latter is the US and our allies.  As the Notice does not address use of exemptions, one would have to presume that the general proscribed country rule barring use of most ITAR exemptions still applies, even if intended for the AIA and ISAF.  The Zimbabwe Notice, in contrast, now allows for the use of the 123.17 temporary exports of firearms exemption, but does not change the overall denial licensing policy for Zimbabwe.

Posted in Afghanistan, DDTC, Defense Trade Controls, Federal Register, ITAR, Zimbabwe | Comments Off

US and EU Impose Trade Sanctions on Zimbabwe in Response to Mugabe Crackdown

Wednesday, April 17th, 2002 by John Black

The United States and the European Union (EU) have imposed trade sanctions on Zimbabwe in response to President Robert Mugabe fixing Zimbabwe’s national elections and continuing crackdown against political
opposition. While both the US and the EU imposed sanctions of transfers of military equipment and technology, the EU imposed additional measures targeting President Mugabe.

In the April 17, 2002 Federal Register the Office of Defense Trade Controls suspended all licenses and approvals (i.e., agreements and retransfer authorizations) for Zimbabwe. At the same time, DTC also prohibited the use of any license exemptions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Zimbabwe.

Soon after the corrupt election in Zimbabwe, the EU agreed to impose smart sanctions targeting arms transfers to Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe.(“Smart sanctions” seems to be the new buzzword in Europe for sanctions
that have a precise target, in this case President Mugabe. The problem with smart sanctions is that the first few times you implement smart sanctions, you seem to be implying that previous sanctions were not “smart sanctions.” Does that mean earlier sanctions were “stupid sanctions,” or maybe just “slow sanctions”? Perhaps past efforts
have been “silly sanctions.” Rumor has it that the Bush Administration, not to be outdone by the EU, already has a plan in place to designate its next trade sanctions as “incredibly brilliant sanctions,” a designation
that just barely beat out “Texas sanctions” in an internal White House debate.

In addition to prohibiting transfers of military equipment and technology, the EU imposed to sanctions on Mugabe and 19 members of his inner circle: 1) The EU froze their assets, and 2) The EU imposed a travel ban on them. The EU also decided to prohibit the transfer of equipment that may be used for internal repression.

Posted in EU, Federal Register, Sanctions, Zimbabwe | Comments Off