Australia Wants Mugabe Out Before Giving Aid

Australia will provide aid to Zimbabwe only if President Robert Mugabe leaves his political post.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith, in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent, insisted that his government wanted Mugabe to go before they extend reconstruction assistance to Zimbabwe, SW Radio Africa reports.

“Despite Zimbabwe’s modest recent progress, Australia remains deeply concerned that ZANU PF [Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front] is not motivated to adhere to its obligations under the global political agreement,” Smith said.