Zim pushes for sanctions scrapping on UN Day

Harare, (New Ziana) – The global community must rally behind the call by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) for the lifting on illegal illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West if the country is to participate unhindered in United Nations (UN) championed programmes, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking on the UN’s 75th anniversary, President Mnangagwa said the embargo placed Zimbabwe and other similarly sanctioned countries in difficulties, particularly economic.

“This time is most opportune for the international community to rally behind the call by Sadc for the unconditional removal of all illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country,” President Mnangagwa said.

“This is the only way to enable the country to fully participate and implement the very noble programmes being championed by the United Nations and other international partners at national, regional and global levels.”

The UN celebrations came a day before October 25, a day Sadc has set aside to push for the lifting of the embargo slapped on Harare two decades ago over land reform differences with Britain, which the European Union and the United States also joined on London’s side.
The differences were over Zimbabwe’s historic land reform programme that 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.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was confident of its ability to meet UN development goals if sanctions were lifted.
While over the years, the European Union has gradually lifted the sanctions save for the Zimbabwe Defence Industries, the United States has largely retained them, crippling the economy and deterring the country’s potential trading partners.

The US is adamant the embargo will not be lifted, demanding instead that the country carries out unspecified reforms.
President Mnangagwa’s administration has implemented various reforms since coming into power over three year ago, meant to enhance democracy and improve the country’s investment attractiveness.

The government estimates the sanctions have cost the country over US$100 billion over the two decades.

President Mnangagwa expressed commitment to continue working with the United Nations Country Team “towards a world that is prosperous, peaceful, stable and just.”
New Ziana