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IN a powerful address marking SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the urgent need to lift sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, arguing that they inflict severe suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans and have detrimental effects on neighbouring countries, including South Africa.
The SADC region has set aside 25 October as a day to further unite in a call for the removal of the illegal embargoes.
President Ramaphosa said, “Sanctions that are being applied against Zimbabwe should be lifted as they are imposing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans and also have collateral negative impacts on the neighbouring countries such as our own country South Africa.”
His remarks come as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gathers to focus on the adverse consequences of these sanctions and advocate for solidarity and support for Zimbabwe.
Highlighting broader regional concerns, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said the AU remains “extremely concerned by the negative impact the sanctions continue to have on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development amid the current global food and energy crises.”
His statement underscores the urgency of addressing these sanctions in light of the region’s ongoing challenges.
Additionally, UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan pointed out that “over the past 20 years, sanctions have had an insidious ripple effect on the economy of Zimbabwe and on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.”
Douhan’s comments further illustrate the long-lasting implications of the sanctions, which have stifled economic growth and exacerbated human rights violations.
This year’s SADC Anti-Sanctions Day is themed “Embracing Innovation towards Vision 2030: The Relentless Fight against Illegal Sanctions,” reflecting a collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the challenges faced by Zimbabwe and the region. As leaders gather to advocate for change, the call for lifting sanctions resonates loudly across Southern Africa, emphasizing the need for unity and progress towards a more equitable future.
The region is pushing the agenda in a clarion call using hashtags; #25October and #ZimSanctionsMustGo
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