Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Despite the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by Western nations, government remains committed to its policy of engagement and re-engagement, guided by the mantra, “Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” President Emmerson Mnangagwa said said on Friday.
Officially launching a digital anti-sanctions petition here, to press for the lifting of the penalties, he expressed gratitude to regional countries for standing by Zimbabwe in opposing the sanctions.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has dedicated every October 25 as a day all member countries collectively call for the removal of the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. The sanctions, imposed as punishment for the government’s land reforms, have severely affected the country’s economy, leading to stunted growth.
The digital petition, which allows the public to sign on electronically, aims to consolidate public opinion and press for the immediate lifting of the sanctions. “Despite the existence of the heinous and inhumane illegal sanctions, my administration will continue to pursue the policy of re engagement and re engagement. Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” President Mnangagwa said.
“As we join the region in commemorating the 5th SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, Zimbabwe strongly condemns the hegemonic tendencies of those nations that believe ‘might is right’,” he said. He expressed gratitude to the SADC region, the broader African continent, and other progressive nations for their solidarity.
“Your unwavering support against these unilateral sanctions is a source of hope and resilience for the people of Zimbabwe.” President Mnangagwa highlighted the far-reaching consequences of sanctions on the country, saying they were strangling the economy. “Sanctions are strangling our economy, undermining our right to self-determination, and compromising our achievements of the collective development aspirations of our country,” he said. He noted that the penalties had restricted the country’s ability to trade freely and access financial support, thereby limiting investments in social services.
“Illegal sanctions are impairing our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063,” he added.
In light of these challenges, President Mnangagwa called for collective national efforts to increase production, productivity, and undertake transformative projects. “It is our individual and collective duty to redouble our efforts to increase production, productivity and transformational projects, for the prosperity of our motherland,” he urged.
He commended the resilience of Zimbabweans in the face of sanctions and encouraged unity. “Our unity, resilience, resourcefulness and fortitude will ultimately break the grip and albatross of unjust sanctions. Together, we are overcoming their impacts and emerging more united and focused as we build a stronger economy,” he said.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of increasing access to anti-sanctions information through various media platforms. “It is the duty of all of us to raise awareness on the negative effects of illegal sanctions on our country and people,” he said. He reiterated that heritage-based knowledge systems, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, industrialization, advanced healthcare, and research and development are key to achieving the country’s Vision 2030.
“Collaboration and partnership with progressive countries should be scaled up to build a future driven by ingenuity, new technology, science, and research,” he said.
President Mnangagwa affirmed the government’s commitment to empowering youths with the necessary skills and resources to drive innovation and economic growth. “The youth are our source of hope and the leaders of tomorrow.
They are the innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow. The Zanu (PF) government, shall, therefore, continue to empower them with the requisite skills, resources and tools to drive innovation and economic growth will continue to empower them,” he said.
He also spoke on the need to broaden measures and conditions that promote women empowerment for realisation of sustainable economic development, underling: “It remains critically important.”
New Ziana