Chronicle Editor
THE signing of the anti-sanctions petition by Zanu-PF Politburo members ahead of the body’s meeting in Harare yesterday is a bold stance by the ruling party against sanctions that have been an albatross on Zimbabwe’s economy for the past two decades.
The Politburo meeting, held at the party headquarters, kick-started the 21st Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference and will be followed by the Central Committee meeting, also in the capital, today.
The country will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Anti-Sanctions Day on Friday, with President Mnangagwa set to headline the event as chairperson of the regional bloc. This year’s event is running under the theme “Embracing Innovation towards Vision 2030: The Relentless Fight against Illegal Sanctions”.
The petition signing ceremony was organised by Citizens Against Economic Sanctions, a pressure group that is pushing for the removal of the illegal sanctions. The organisation’s executive director, Mr Martin Zharare said they will deliver the signed petition to the US Embassy in Harare as a way to register the country’s disapproval of the illegal embargo.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira called on the United States, the UK and European Union to remove the coercive and illegal measures that were unilaterally imposed outside international law.
“Zimbabwe and other affected nations continue to fall victim to unilateral coercive measures, which run counter to the purposes and principles of the Charter of United Nations and international law, multilateralism and the basic norms of international relations,” he said.
Director for constitutional and parliamentary affairs in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Winnet Kanyerere, said one of the most devastating effects of sanctions is that they block multilateral funding to Zimbabwe.
“For instance, when Zimbabwe qualifies for loans and/or debt relief from the IMF, World Bank and other multilateral financial institutions, Zdera expressly directs US representatives at all such institutions to oppose or vote against such requests,” she said.
The SADC Anti-Sanctions Day was declared by Tanzania in August 2019 when the country’s former leader, the late Dr John Magufuli, chaired the regional body. It is an occasion when SADC member states collectively voice their disapproval of sanctions on Zimbabwe through various activities and platforms.
The illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West have largely contributed to the country’s economic hardships as they have placed impediments on investment and trade.
It is therefore the duty of all patriotic Zimbabweans to stand against the illegal and punitive sanctions.
Online Reporter