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Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
CHINA and the African Union Commission yesterday added their weight to Sadc’s call for the removal of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, saying the embargo impeded Harare’s socio-economic development.
The call for the removal of sanctions by China and the AU came as Sadc commemorated the Anti Sanction Day initiated by the regional bloc on the 25th of October of every year.
The commemoration was meant to show solidarity with Zimbabwe and give weight to the call for the removal of sanctions against the country.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said Beijing firmly supported Zimbabwe in opposing external interference by Western nations, adding that Zimbabwe should be allowed to determine its destiny.
China said it supports the decision by Sadc summit in 2019 setting aside October 25 of every year to amplify the call for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
“The 39th SADC Summit in 2019 named October 25 the Anti-Sanctions Day and called on the US and some other Western countries and organisations to remove illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“China supports Zimbabwe which holds the SADC’s rotating presidency and suffers from illegal sanctions in hosting the commemorative events of the fifth anniversary of the Day. The US and some other Western countries have illegally sanctioned Zimbabwe for over 20 years,” reads the statement.
“This typical act of hegemonism severely undermines Zimbabwe’s national sovereignty, infringes on Zimbabwean people’s right to development, disrupts the efforts of Southern Africa to deepen co-operation and pursue common development, and harms international fairness and justice. China, as always, firmly supports Zimbabwe in opposing external interference and keeping to its own development path.”
China said there was a need to remove the embargo.
“We once again urge the few countries and organisations to lift the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe as soon as possible, and take responsible and concrete steps to help the country develop its economy and improve people’s well-being. China stands ready to work with African countries and the international community to help Zimbabwe uphold its independence and sovereignty, remain stable and achieve development.”
AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Moussa Faki Mahamat, reiterated the call for the removal of illegal sanctions.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat renews the African Union call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all remaining sanctions imposed against the Republic of Zimbabwe, and in support of the Southern African Development Community commemoration of Anti-Sanctions Day.
“The Chairperson acknowledges the engagement with the European Union through political dialogue. In this regard, he encourages all parties to continue constructive dialogue with a view to remove the remaining sanctions against institutions and individuals of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” said a statement from the AU Commission released yesterday.
“The chairperson remains concerned by the negative impact of continued sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe to the country’s socio-economic development and recovery efforts.
“The Chairperson reaffirms the full support of the African Union to the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) efforts in this regard, and aligns fully with the position of SADC on the issue.”
The AU is one of several organisations that have condemned the illegal sanctions that have been imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America and its Western allies.
Sadc chairperson, President Mnangagwa on Thursday denounced the punitive measures, saying they have had a huge effect on regional integration of the regional bloc.
Yesterday, the President signed an electronic petition in Bulawayo against the continued imposition of Western sanctions on the country to amplify calls by millions of Zimbabweans and the whole of Southern Africa in denouncing the embargo.
The signing of the petition by the Head of State is a key highlight of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, organised since 2019 in solidarity with the rest of the region in defiance of the crippling impact of sanctions on development and ordinary people’s lives.
On Tuesday, Zanu-PF Politburo members also signed the petition against sanctions, and the petition will be presented to the United States Embassy in Harare as a strong expression of displeasure by Zimbabweans.
It is envisaged that a million signatures should be obtained before presentation to the US Embassy in Harare.
The commemoration of the Anti-Sanctions Day was held under the theme, “Embracing Innovation towards Vision 2030: The Relentless Fight against Illegal Sanctions.”
Online Reporter