Time for sanctions to go
ON October 25, Sadc countries will be joining Zimbabwe on the Anti-Sanction Day.
To us as Zimbabweans, it is not a usual day as we will be calling for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and the European Union.
In my personal capacity, I join Sadc in calling for the removal of the sanctions. Sanctions are not good for the people of Zimbabwe and they must go.
Sanctions, in whatever type, shape and size they come in, simply have to go.
They are bleeding our economy. I echo President Mnangagwa’s words:
“Sanctions are slowing down our progress, inhibiting our economic recovery and punishing the most vulnerable.”
Since taking over the country’s leadership in 2017, the President has been preaching about resuscitating the economy.
How can we resuscitate the economy when our hands and legs are hamstrung by these sanctions? Funds and economic resources are being frozen due to the sanctions.
There is evidence to suggest that the illegal sanctions are responsible for most of Zimbabwe’s troubles.
The US and EU should therefore not hide behind the finger and say these sanctions are targeted at specific persons, groups and entities. They are hurting every Zimbabwean.
Although Government is clearly going in the right direction, the US and EU have been periodically renewing the sanctions. His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, is a peace loving man whose leadership qualities are second to none.
Africa will not fold its hands and allow this to continue.
We will speak until they remove the illegal sanctions. Sanctions are cruel.
They are actually reversing the gains of Zimbabwe’s independence and freedom.
Vulnerable people are suffering as a direct and indirect result of these sanctions. Sanctions, especially when coupled with Covid -19, are disastrous.
These sanctions are aggravating the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans. They have to be removed in totality.
Zimbabwe needs to move forward, not backwards; and these sanctions are taking us backwards.