Annan, Carter Denied Entry into Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean government has barred former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former US President Jimmy Carter and human rights activist Graca Machel from entering the country on a humanitarian mission. Zimbabwean foreign ministry spokesman Simbarashe Mumbengegwi however denied reports that the three had been refused entry, saying Harare had only “postponed” the visit because they had failed to consult with the government as per protocol. Annan, Carter and Machel are members of a global conflict resolution group comprising of 12 eminent world statesmen, which was founded in 2007 by former South African President Nelson Mandela. [PE]