Sanctions removal welcome . . . RF says, ‘about time’

The Herald, November 9, 1979 THE British government’s decision not to renew the sanctions order against Zimbabwe Rhodesia was welcomed by most internal political parties yesterday, only Zanu expressed reservations.

Mr Andre Holland, the Rhodesian Front spokesman, commented crisply: “About time.”

The National Unifying Force described the movement as “positive proof ” that an irreversible decision had been taken by Whitehall to return Zimbabwe Rhodesia to “legality”.

“We welcome it as the end of long years of friction, and we look forward to the positive outcome of the political negotiations as a prelude to a period of economic and social reconstruction.”

Noting that sanctions had caused more suffering to the country’s blacks, Zanu said it felt strongly that any premature lifting of the embargo would not be in the nation’s interest.

The Zimbabwe Democratic Party commented: “The British decision is part and parcel of the negotiating process. But since they have already agreed on the independence constitution and interim arrangements, there is no reason why Britain should renew the sanctions.”

Mr Mike Gwande’s recently formed United African People’s Union said the removal of sanctions had always been its prime objective, “and we welcome the move”.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ The removal of sanctions against the country by the British was an indication of their dedication towards granting true independence to the country, and returning it to the black majority.

◆ Sanctions affect the majority of the people. Just as the sanctions on Rhodesia hurt the majority of black people, the current illegal sanctions imposed on the country are also hurting a majority of Zimbabweans across the political, social and economic divide, and their views on the issue have been clearly articulated on various foras and events.

◆ Sanctions are hurtful to the extent that even the whites in Zimbabwe who were mostly of British origin, could not wait for their removal and were relieved, as the rest of the population was.

◆ Unity is critical in the fight against illegal embargoes such as sanctions. Zimbabwe has been receiving overwhelming support from different countries and regional and international organisations in its fight to have the illegal embargo imposed on it by the West lifted.

◆ SADC declared October 25 as the

SADC Zimbabwe Anti-sanctions Day, while the African Union and the United Nations have joined a growing number of African countries and those abroad in amplifying the call for the removal of sanctions on the country.

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