Zimbabwe unfazed by new US sanctions

HARARE: President Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is ready to move forward with its economic revival agenda despite the imposition of new sanctions on Harare by the United States government last week.

US President Donald Trump signed into law the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act, effectively extending US sanctions against Zimbabwe. The new law, which amends the ZIDERA legislation of 2001, is a dent on Zimbabwe’s reengagement efforts with the US.

However, President Mnangagwa said here Wednesday he was not losing sleep over the latest stance by the US “Should I concern myself with what is happening in Washington?” he replied dismissively when asked for his reaction to the latest US sanctions.

He was speaking to the media at the end of a courtesy call on him by US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols at State House Harare.

As for his meeting with the ambassador, the President said they had discussed the current situation in Zimbabwe, including the violent clashes which occurred on Aug 1 following the July 30 general election.

“It is necessary, he is an ambassador from the US to Zimbabwe and he must have a correct appreciation of the environment in the country, so he came to the number one in the country to get that appreciation,” he said.

“We were able to share his views and my views on the current situation in the country and we are moving forward as a country and we would want our people to be peaceful, to convey the message of peace, tranquillity and unity.

Only when a country is stable and people are peaceful can development thrive, not when we are throwing stones at each other.” — Bernama