Lift sanctions, begs Mnangagwa
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT APPEALS TO WESTERN NATIONS AHEAD OF 2018 ELECTIONS ‘We realise isolation is not splendid or viable. There is more to gain through solidarity.’
Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, yesterday called for the removal of western sanctions on his government during a speech to ruling party officials, saying elections due in 2018 were nearer than “you expect”.
Mnangagwa, 75, became leader of the southern African nation last month after the military and ruling Zanu-PF turned against Robert Mugabe, who had ruled the country for 37 years and was grooming his wife Grace to succeed him.
While the European Union removed sanctions on Zanu-PF officials, members of the military and some government-owned firms in 2014, the United States has kept a travel and economic embargo on several ruling party elites.
“We call for the unconditional lifting of the political and economic sanctions,” Mnangagwa told a meeting of the Zanu-PF central committee.
“We realise that isolation is not splendid or viable, as there is more to gain through solidarity, mutually beneficial partnerships.”
The international community will be closely watching the next elections, in 2018, which Mnangagwa said would be free and fair and would be held sooner than most people expect.
The vote is due at the end of July in 2018 but there is talk it can be brought forward as early as March.
“Government will do all in its powers to ensure that the elections are credible, free and fair. These elections are nearer than what you expect,” he said without elaborating.
Meanwhile, former Zimbabwe finance minister Ignatius Chombo faced new corruption charges yesterday in the clearest example yet of a crackdown on graft by Mnangagwa since he took office last month.
Mnangagwa said one of his priorities is to fight corruption as he seeks to shore up an economy battered under Mugabe’s rule.
Chombo was accused of abuse of office after he illegally resettled people affected by a government clean-up operation on privatelyowned land in Harare and then demanded a bribe from the owner to remove the people.