KEY POINTS
- Mnangagwa urges the immediate lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe, citing harm to vulnerable groups and economic sectors.
- Sanctions are seen as undermining regional integration and economic progress across the SADC region.
- Zimbabwe continues to push forward with homegrown solutions to drive economic development despite external restrictions.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has reaffirmed his demand that Western countries lift the sanctions placed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking in advance of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, Mnangagwa emphasized how the economic limitations have hindered progress in all areas of the Zimbabwean economy and disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations.
Call for immediate lifting of sanctions
Mnangagwa stressed that the sanctions have harmed regular people, especially the weakest members of society. Echoing other SADC leaders, he called for the quick and unconditional lifting of the embargo.
He claimed that the penalties jeopardize regional efforts to promote sustainable development and economic cooperation.
“These measures stifle economic and social progress in Zimbabwe, and the ordinary people, especially the vulnerable, bear the brunt of them,” Mnangagwa added. Additionally, he cautioned that the sanctions jeopardize attempts at regional integration and stability.
Regional cooperation and economic resilience
Mnangagwa underlined that the sanctions have an impact on the entire SADC area, not just Zimbabwe.
According to ZBC news, he emphasized that the region is still striving for a bright and integrated future and that lifting the sanctions is essential to reaching these objectives.
He declared, “Our region continues to strive towards achieving a prosperous and integrated region and enjoys relative peace and stability.” “Our efforts toward regional integration and development are undermined by the imposition of sanctions.”
The Zimbabwean government has implemented a number of domestic initiatives to revamp the economy in spite of the sanctions.
To spur economic growth in the face of outside obstacles, these include large investments in modernization, infrastructure, and industrialization.
Global appeal for support
The president also urged all forward-thinking countries to back Zimbabwe’s attempts to have the sanctions removed. Moreover, Mnangagwa called on the international community to acknowledge the damage that the sanctions are doing to the entire region, not just Zimbabwe.
“To enable Zimbabwe and the SADC region to make a significant contribution to global socio-economic development, I implore all progressive countries to continue advocating for the lifting of sanctions,” he continued.
Every year on October 25th, SADC Anti-Sanctions Day is observed with the goal of increasing public awareness of the consequences of the sanctions and advocating for their lifting.
