The Zimbabwean government has announced it is suing the European Union (EU) for losses to its economy due to the bloc’s sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and members of his government.

Now the lawsuit has come before the General Court of the European Court of Justice in Brussels, Belgium. A date has yet to be announced for the case to be heard.

“The lawsuit by the Zimbabwean government lays bare any pretence of a thaw in relations between Mugabe’s newly re-elected administration and the EU and is widely seen by observers as a final push by Mugabe to end his isolation by the West, reports Business Day Live.

Attorney-general Johannes Tomana  is spearheading the legal challenge. He said in an interview the announcement of a date by the European court would set in motion Zimbabwe’s case.

It is the government’s contention that sanctions imposed by the EU since 2001 have cost the country $42 billion in lost revenue.

According to Tomana, the lawsuit would serve as a precedent against US-imposed sanction.

EU representative in Zimbabwe Aldo Dell Ariccia said he was aware of the government’s intention.

“The restrictions are against 10 individuals and one company and not against the whole of Zimbabwe. There is no such thing as sanctions against Zimbabwe.”