Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES) — an anti-sanctions lobby group — intends to hand over a one million-signature petition to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.
CAES director Mr Martin Zharare announced the development at a press briefing in Harare on Tuesday, where he also revealed that the organisation has now been officially registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO).
He described the registration as a milestone that strengthens CAES’ work in mobilising grassroots support against sanctions imposed under the United States’ Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) of 2000.
“We must stand firm and resolute in the face of sanctions, just as we did during the liberation struggle,” he said.
We aim to present this petition, signed by one million Zimbabweans, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, at this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, declaring the desire of the ordinary Zimbabweans to have the sanctions totally and unconditionally removed.”
As the campaign builds momentum ahead of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25, Mr Zharare said CAES will continue working closely with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and other stakeholders to coordinate messaging and logistics.
He expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for supporting the registration of CAES, which he said had taken several years to achieve.
“After a rigorous registration process that took years and years, we are now a fully registered Private Voluntary Organisation under PVO Act,” he said.
“This recognition is a seal of approval to the Government’s commitment to empowering its citizens and promoting development through CAES.”
CAES, Mr Zharare said, will expand beyond advocacy to roll out development programmes in communities most affected by sanctions.
The organisation has already begun initiatives in agriculture, water provision, health and education.
“In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Zinwa, we are undertaking massive projects in water provision to the people of Zimbabwe,” he added.
“Boreholes are being drilled to bring water to vulnerable communities affected by sanctions in regions so dry that most of the people’s time is spent looking for water in faraway places.”
He said 67 boreholes had already been drilled in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Masvingo provinces.
“In the health sector, we are working with partners to bring products and services that make the health of our citizens a top priority.
“In the educational sector we are coming to our children with programmes that are both informative and educational.”
