The US has extended trade and economic sanctions against Zimbabwe government officials and President Robert Mugabe by one year, saying that the authorities in the southern African nation continue to undermine democratic process.

The US, just like European Union (EU) slapped President Robert Mugabe and his allies with trade and economic sanctions in 2003 on allegations of human rights abuse.

The EU had earlier in the year lifted its trade embargo on Zimbabwe. In February, the EU also said they will allow Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to land on European soil for the first in 13 years after lifting travel sanctions on him after been elected Africa Union (AU) chairperson in January.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama said there were still threats constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes.

“These actions and policies continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue this national emergency and to maintain in force the sanctions to respond to this threat,” said Obama in a statement released on Wednesday by the White House.

By George Mpofu