Sanctions on Zimbabwe hurt Botswana
We call for unconditional lifting of those sanctions - President Masisi
Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the western countries are not only affecting that country but also hurting neighbours like Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said during a recent state visit.
Masisi said as Botswana and Zimbabwe forge ahead in advancing economic diplomacy, Botswana is cognisant of the negative impact that sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have on the country’s efforts toward economic growth and prosperity.“I therefore take this opportunity to reiterate Botswana’s unwavering support for the SADC position on the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe,” Masisi said. He added that Botswana continues to strongly appeal for the repeal of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act ( ZEDERA) and the unhelpful targeted Sanctions Programme imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America. “We equally call upon the European Union ( EU), to unconditionally remove the remaining sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe since 2002,” he added. The president said it is clear that all sanctions imposed by the
West are not only adversely affecting economic activity, but are also affecting the livelihoods of average Zimbabweans. Consequently, neighbouring countries such as Botswana, including others in the region and beyond, have also felt the brunt of the sanctions, one way or another. To demonstrate this brunt, Masisi said that due to economic hardships induced by the sanctions locally, many Zimbabweans were left with the only available option of seeking economic comfort in neighbouring states, which in turn stretched the hosting capacity and social infrastructure they found in the respective destinations including Botswana. According to Masisi, Botswana will therefore continue to add her voice, in advocating for the unconditional lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. He stated that at the regional level, while they have continued to enjoy relative peace, the security situation in some countries is a cause for concern. Masisi expressed gratitude for the decisions and measures adopted at the recent SADC Summit in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC). These measures concerned the status of the SADC Mission in Mozambique ( SAMIM), the security situation in the
DRC, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Masisi expressed confidence that in forging ahead to address security challenges in the region, with the support of international cooperating partners, “we stand to triumph over societal differences and social ills, which in many instances, are the root cause of conflict.”
The President urged the SADC Member States, particularly the Organ Troika, to remain seized with timeously addressing all hotspots, particularly where armed conflict has erupted.
“The cordial relations between our two countries and peoples continue to pay huge dividends in our engagements at the political level, particularly with regard to the resumption of our Bi- National Commissions, the last of which you hosted successfully in the marvellous Victoria Falls, in February of this year. “It is important to leverage on this momentum created by the BNC, so as to take stock of the implementation of our agreed commitments, including exploring new avenues of bilateral cooperation, for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples,” Masisi said. He pointed out that the resolve of the two nations remains undiminished in the face of socio- economic challenges.