US Embassy Zimbabwe slammed for downplaying sanctions

Herald Reporter

Zimbabweans and international supporters have slammed the US Embassy for downplaying the impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe, saying these illegal coercive measures should be lifted entirely.
The outrage erupted when the embassy stated on its website that only 11 individuals, out of a population of 16 million, are under sanctions, implying that the sanctions do not affect ordinary citizens.

However, critics swiftly refuted the US Embassy’s assertion, pointing out that the 11 sanctioned individuals – including President Emmerson Mnangagwa – hold strategic positions that reverberate throughout Zimbabwe’s economy, indirectly affecting millions.

Responding to US Embassy Zimbabwe on X, @KudzaiMutisi said: “You have no right to impose sanctions on people who are not your citizens… more so without any trial. Where were they tried and convicted? ”

Another X user, @Douglas Dizoni attached a picture of Zimbabwe-bound fire engines that were confiscated by Lithuania last year, while being shipped from Belarus, which is under European Union sanctions, to Zimbabwe.

“You should stop playing with our minds. You know very well you have sabotaged the Zimbabwean economy, hoping it leads to an uprise. It will not work,” Dizoni posted.

Public relations specialist, @Vlada Galan said: “Zimbabwe has lost over US$42 billion in revenue over the past 19 years because of the sanctions. This includes lost bilateral donor support estimated at US$4,5 billion annually since 2001, US$12 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, commercial loans of US$18 billion, and a GDP reduction of US$21 billion.”

Another X user @Sinclair Skinner said: “Stop the waste, fraud, abuse and the racist US Govt propaganda against African countries. Zimbabwe has been under attack by illegal US sanctions and economic espionage for more than 20 years. The US Govt has been engaged in unilateral crimes against humanity in destabilising Zimbabwe’s economy for regime change. Lift all sanctions now!”

Another X user, @ Honorebel One said: “The US uses sanctions to control resources, strategic locations, and punish nations asserting sovereignty. But who holds the US accountable? The international community must demand accountability, prioritising human rights over geopolitics. We have the right to self-determination!”