Humanitarian visit by Carter, Annan blocked
Zimbabwe has refused to let Kofi Annan, former President Carter and South African human rights advocate Graca Machel visit the country for a humanitarian mission, the three said.
They had planned to assess the southern African country’s needs. They are members of The Elders, a group formed by former South African President Nelson Mandela to foster peace and tackle world conflicts.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Annan said no official reason had been given for the refusal. Government officials in Harare could not immediately be reached for comment.
Carter, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, said in Johannesburg, South Africa, that it was the first time he had been denied permission to carry out a mission in any country.
Zimbabweans are suffering from disease and hunger while a crisis over a power-sharing government occupies politicians.
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