Zimbabwe refuses dignitaries´ humanitarian mission visit

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-24-2008 09:44

Zimbabwe says it has blocked former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, ex-US President Jimmy Carter, and South African human rights advocate Graca Machel from visiting on a humanitarian mission.

Zimbabwe says it has blocked former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, ex-US President Jimmy Carter, and South African human rights advocate Graca Machel from visiting on a humanitarian mission.(CCTV.com)

That because they had not properly consulted with Zimbabwean officials before the trip.

The three are members of The Elders, a group formed by Nelson Mandela to foster peace and address world conflicts.

On Saturday, they held a news conference and said they were denied visas for a mission to assess the needs of Zimbabweans, many of whom are suffering from hunger and disease.

On Sunday, the trio met with Botswana's President, Seretse Ian Khama, who has condemned state-sponsored political violence in Zimbabwe.

Khama also met with South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, who called on Zimbabwe's political parties to work toward the formation of an inclusive government.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei