Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter barred from Zimbabwe
Updated
Former UN chief Kofi Annan and a high-level delegation to Zimbabwe have been refused visas as they 'hadn't consulted" Harare on their program. [AFP]
The Zimbabwe government has prevented former UN chief Kofi Annan and past US President Jimmy Carter from entering the country.
They had intended to assess the growing humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
Africa Correspondent Andrew Geoghegan reports that Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter were to be joined on their visit to Zimbabwe by Graca Machel, the wife of Nelson Mandela.
They had intended to get a sense for themselves of just how dire the humanitarian crisis has become in the country.
A recent outbreak of cholera has highlighted the need for urgent help.
However, without explanation Robert Mugabe's government refused to grant them visas forcing the group to abandon the trip and remain in neighbouring South Africa.
Jimmy Carter said he'd never before been refused a visa anywhere in the world and it was clear to him that that the Mugabe government was determined to block their entry.
A Zimbabwe foreign ministry spokesman says Mr Annan and his team have not been barred from Zimbabwe, but they had not consulted the government in Harare on their timing and program, "as is the normal practice."
