Lift illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe – AU, Sadc

Harare, (New Ziana) – Illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West were only saving to hinder the serious progress the country has made in reforming its political and economic environment for the benefit of its citizens, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said on Sunday.

The AU has backed Sadc, which last year declared October 25, the Anti-Sanctions Day, in which the region campaigns for the removal of sanctions imposed on Harare over land reform differences with Britain, which the European Union and the United States also joined on London’s side.

The historic land reform programme saw nearly 500 000 black families being resettled on land previously owned by white farmers.

Government has since agreed a compensation deal worth US$3.5 billion with the white farmers for infrastructure developments on the acquired farms.

Harare estimates the sanctions to have cost the country over US$100 billion over the two decades.

The United Nations, and its various agencies, has called for the lifting of the embargo which it said also constrained countries in their quest to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SADC Chairman and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, in a call for the unconditional lifting of the two decade old embargo on Harare, said the sanctions were “no longer relevant, and are detrimental to the socio-economic development and self-determination of Zimbabweans.”

“For SADC as a region, the call for the unconditional removal of sanctions assumes even greater importance,” Nyusi said.

“It is not just a solidarity call in support of Zimbabwe, but also a clarion call for justice, fairness and full enjoyment of human rights.”

Nyusi said continued maintenance of the sanctions not only constrained Zimbabwe’s socio-economic progress, but also the attainment of the SADC Vision 2050, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Sanctions without UN approval are a violation of our Charter and run against the spirit of multilateralism,” he said.
“The sanctions must be removed now for the good of the region and the world.”

Nyusi lauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for progress made in implementing economic, political and legislative reforms.

Sanctions, he said, significantly undermined Harare’s capacity to respond to socio-economic challenges that included three successive droughts; recovery from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai; the Covid-19 pandemic and poor access to affordable lines of credit on the global market; and servicing of her debt obligations.

The Mozambican leader called on the progressive world to unceasingly call for the scrapping of the embargo as well as support re-engagement efforts between Harare and the rest of the world including those countries that imposed sanctions.

AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki said the continental body unconditionally supported Sadc’s call for the lifting of the Western blockade against Harare.

Faki said the AU had “consistently voiced concerns regarding the negative impact of the persistent economic sanctions on the economy and people of Zimbabwe.”

He called on the continental block’s organs to continue to mobilise support for Zimbabwe’s recovery efforts.
New Ziana