EU Court Upholds Zimbabwe SanctionsThe General Court of the European Union on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by former Attorney General Johannes Tomana against European sanctions targeting him and 109 Zanu PF officials and companies. Tomana had challenged the travel and financial restrictions in 2012, arguing the measures were illegal and unjustified and should therefore be annulled. But the court ruled the EU had acted legally in sanctioning Tomana and his colleagues because they were engaged in human rights violations and other activities that undermined democracy. The ruling can be seen as merely academic since the EU has already scrapped most of the measures. Only President Robert Mugabe, his wife Grace and the Zimbabwe Defense Industries remain on the list. “As regards the infringement of the obligation to state reasons, the General Court considers that, with respect to the majority of individuals and companies affected, the reference to the posts held, when the acts at issue were adopted or previously, is, in itself, sufficient to justify their listing,” the court said. “With respect to the others, the General Court considers that a reference to specific conduct imputed to them is necessary and that such a reference is made in all cases.”