Peace corps withdrawn from Zimbabwe

The US recalled Peace Corps workers from Zimbabwe today after the government refused to issue work permits for its most recent volunteers.

The Zimbabwean government’s refusal to issue the permits follows a series of moves scaling back international presence in the country.

Aid workers are no longer allowed to distribute international food aid and the government recently said monitors from abroad would not be allowed to observe next year’s scheduled elections.

The 43 Peace Corps volunteers have been based in towns since political violence erupted in rural areas last year, leading to the deaths of scores of opposition supporters and white farmers.

The volunteers would be leaving the country within a week. The decision was made after 13 recent arrivals were refused work permits with no explanation, said US embassy spokesman Bruce Wharton.