New York (New Ziana)-Zimbabwe continues to cement democracy, constitutionalism, good governance and the rule of law, following the recently held harmonised elections, President Emmerson
Mnangagwa has said.

In an address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe enjoyed peace before, during and after the elections, which were free, fair, transparent and credible.

He reiterated his call for the removal of sanctions that some Western countries imposed on the country which have been in place for the past 23 years.

“We, therefore, demand that the unjustified unilateral sanctions be unconditionally lifted, including those imposed on countries like Cuba. We remain grateful for the support and solidarity of progressive countries in the comity of nations,” he said.

Despite the sanctions, the people of Zimbabwe have become masters of their own destiny as evidenced by the achievement of several economic milestones, President Mnangagwa said.

“For the last three years, our country has been the fastest growing economy in our Southern African region. Further, Zimbabwe is prioritizing the eradication of poverty and improving the quality of life of our people, particularly, those in rural areas. The empowerment and capacitation of communal and small-scale farmers has seen us realize food and nutrition security at both household and national level. With effect from this year, our country will become a net exporter of wheat,” he said.

President Mnangagwa took a swipe at some powerful countries which preach peace, human rights and democracy and yet clandestinely fund conflicts and the unconstitutional changes of governments, for their own narrow
interests.

“We, further, condemn the use of unilateral and illegal sanctions as a foreign policy tool at the disposal of some powerful nations, such as those sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and countries like Cuba. Such actions hamper the trust, global solidarity and multilateralism we desire,” he said.

New Ziana