Thousands rally against sanctions

H-Metro Reporter

THOUSANDS poured onto the country’s streets, in all 10 provinces, for a solidarity march calling for the unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

October 25 was declared as the SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day by the regional bloc.

This year’s marches were held under the theme “Enhancing Zimbabwe’s Resilience through Economic Development and Engagement and Re-engagement”.

An Anti-Sanctions Day gala, featuring some of the country’s top musicians, was held at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

SADC chairman, President Felix Tshisekedi of the DR Congo, said the regional bloc was deeply concerned about the Zimbabwe situation.

“SADC is deeply concerned at false claims that the penalties were of a ‘targeted nature’ aimed only at punishing a few Zimbabweans linked to the Government.

“Zimbabwe is expected to hold regular national elections in mid-2023.

“In this context, SADC appeals to those who have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe to give space to the citizens of the country to exercise their democratic rights and not use sanctions as a covert mechanism to effect regime change,” he said.

President Tshisekedi said SADC was committed to the spirit of multilateralism, and sanctions imposed against any nation in the global family of nations, must be made in accordance with international law.

The sanctions on Zimbabwe were imposed by the United States and the European Union, about two decades ago, largely to try and force the Government to reverse the fast-track land reform programme.