Key takeaways:

• The recent Zimbabwean elections may have a significant impact on EU sanctions on the country: prior to the elections, the EU ambassador to South Africa stated that the EU would lift sanctions if the elections were “internationally recognized”.
• International opinion remains split as to the legitimacy of the elections, and the EU has yet to come to a decision.
• A lifting of EU sanctions would provide more freedom to those wishing to engage with the Zimbabwean mining industry, particularly its diamond sector -- but investors need to remain aware that other sanctions will remain in place, particularly those imposed by the US.