Progressive nations join Zimbabwe in fight against sanctions

PROGRESSIVE nations will today join Zimbabwe in solidarity with Sadc in calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed by the Western countries since the turn of the millennium.

The Sadc Anti-Sanctions Day also marks the resilience of Zimbabweans in the face of adversity with attention being directed to youths who are mostly affected by the embargo.

While sanctions remain in place, Zimbabwe has vowed to advance its national interest to transform into an upper middle income status by 2030.

Research has shown that the country has lost over US$40 billion in trade potential due to the impact of illegal sanctions. The country has managed to withstand the illegal sanctions, which were imposed in protest over Zimbabwe’s successful land reform programme.

Today, the country is basking in agricultural glory and last year it became one of the two African countries after Ethiopia to achieve wheat self-sufficiency.

Zimbabwe has also made strides by improving its infrastructure with the redevelopment of Beitbridge Border Post and Robert Mugabe International Airport among the flagship projects.

Despite these successes, the illegal sanctions remain a limiting factor with adverse impacts being felt across the region. Hence, in 2019 during the Sadc Heads of State Summit, former Tanzanian President late John Magufuli declared October 25 as the region’s Anti-Sanctions Day, a day set aside in solidarity with Zimbabwe to call for the removal of the illegal embargo.

President Mnangagwa will today headline the Anti-Sanctions Day and is expected to deliver a televised speech on the impact of the illegal embargo and how Zimbabwe is making headway. The commemorations will run under the theme: “Harnessing the Youth for Accelerated Socio-Economic Development in the Fight Against Sanctions,” in recognition of how young people have withstood the illegal sanctions. Several events have been lined up across the country to mark the Anti-Sanctions Day.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Paul Nyoni said the Anti-Sanctions Day will be held to remind America and its allies how the embargo has inhibited Zimbabwe’s potential.

“It’s a commemoration of the Sadc Anti-Sanctions Day. So, in other words it’s not just Zimbabwe but the rest of the progressive world that has realised the injustices that sanctions have brought to the country,” he said. “Further to that, no less than the United National Secretary General António Guterres himself appointed a Special Rapporteur to Zimbabwe who confirmed what Zimbabweans have always known that sanctions are unjust and they affect livelihoods.”

Mr Nyoni said the focus on youth is meant to remind the world that they are the worst affected by the illegal sanctions as they constrain them in obtaining development opportunities.

Mr Nyoni said with youths in mind, the province will hold the provincial commemorations at Baines Primary School where pupils from various schools will make performances on the impact of sanctions.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said sanctions against Zimbabwe are illegal and violate international protocols and should be removed. He said the business sector and the economy still endure the effects of the illegal embargo.

“These sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe without going through the United Nations, which when it sees fit, imposes sanctions on any member nation.

“In our case, there was no reason whatsoever for the imposition of sanctions. The sanctions must be removed unconditionally,” he said.

“We have seen the suffering of the country, the economy, the business people, and right now we struggle to make international payments after the termination of correspondent banks who ordinarily should process payments, which we make from Zimbabwe to any jurisdiction outside the country.” Unfortunately, Mr Mutashu said most banks after being threatened by those who impose sanctions against the country, refuse to do business with Zimbabwe, and CBZ was fined for simply processing a transaction.

Mr Mutashu said the illegal sanctions were diabolic and called for penalties to be imposed on those aiming to gain political capital by hurting the country’s economy.

He said under the Second Republic the country has managed to weather the storm to develop itself, as evidenced by the massive infrastructure projects across the country.

“I’m here as a testimony of those who have collectively supported His Excellency to build this country, focusing on reconstruction and improving the livelihoods of Zimbabweans across the width and breadth of this country,” said Mr Mutashu.

Council of Churches in Africa Bishop Dr Rocky Moyo said the Sadc Anti Sanctions Day speaks to economic resilience as the embargo was created to stifle the country’s economic growth.

He commended the regional support especially how South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has used international platforms to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe in calling for the removal of the illegal sanctions.

“The sanctions were meant to destroy young Zimbabweans so that they don’t get jobs even after graduating. So, Anti-Sanctions Day is a day meant to recognize the fight for the economic freedom of the country,” said Dr Moyo.

“We are seeing development in all the parts of the country where roads are being constructed, electricity infrastructure, access to water is being spread across.

“We want Zimbabwe free and sanctions should be laid off and taken out so that the country can achieve its full potential,” said Dr Moyo. — @nqotshili