Zimbabwe

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — International Development – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 1 March 2006.

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Photo of Hilary Benn Hilary Benn The Secretary of State for International Development 11:30, 1 March 2006

I share the hon. Gentleman's assessment of the current crisis in Zimbabwe. It has the fastest-collapsing economy in the world and is a testament to monumentally bad governance. We have discussed that at some length at Question Time today.

We have had the European Union sanctions, and the United Kingdom is very clear in its assessment of the position and the pressure that we exert. It would be helpful if others in the international community, including those in the rest of Africa, were equally straight and honest about the cause of the problems in Zimbabwe. That would bring closer the day when the change that is needed will happen, so that the Zimbabwean people's nightmare can come to an end.