Read < 1 minute

Debate is ranging in Zimbabwe over the impact of president Robert Mugabe’s decision to skip  the just concluded EU- Africa summit. The veteran leader refused to travel after his wife Grace Mugabe was denied a visa.

Mugabe stayed at home while his counterparts on the continent made the trip to the EU capital despite Zimbabwe’s call that they should boycott the summit.  Some analysts argue that  this is a missed opportunity for the veteran leader to ramp up pressure on the EU bloc with the backing of other African Union leaders to normalize relations with Zimbabwe. Mugabe and his close associates were placed under sanctions in 2002 which have been extensively eased in recent months.