African presidents denounce punitive action on Zim
ZIMBABWE has received overwhelming support from the region, continent and the world in calling for the lifting of the economic embargo imposed on it . Below are some statements made by Heads of State from Africa and other leaders in the growing lobby for lifting of the sanctions.
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2023)
“South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo that was imposed 60 years ago against Cuba. An embargo that has caused untold damage to the country’s economy and the people of Cuba as well. The sanctions that are also being applied against South Africa’s neighbour, Zimbabwe, should also be lifted as they are imposing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans, but also have a collateral negative impact on neighbouring countries as well such as my own country, South Africa.”
Namibian President Hage Geingob at UNGA 2023
“Punitive and illegal economic sanctions that were unilaterally imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and its Western allies must be immediately removed to enable the Southern African nation to meet the global 2030 agenda on sustainable development.”
Chairperson of AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on October 25, 2022
“The chairperson remains extremely concerned by the negative impact of the unilateral sanctions to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development amid the current global food and energy crises, including post Covid-19 recovery efforts. The chairperson reaffirms the continued commitment of the African Union to support the brotherly nation of Zimbabwe in mobilising efforts for the lifting of said unilateral sanctions.”
Senegal President and AU chairperson Macky Sall at US-Africa summit, December 2022
“In this spirit, Africa calls for the lifting of sanctions which continue to affect the Zimbabwean people. Zimbabwe has been sanctioned since (former President Robert) Mugabe’s time, I think it’s time to remove these sanctions so that Zimbabwean people can continue to fight effectively against poverty and underdevelopment.”
Past SADC chairperson and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on October 25, 2022
“Reality of the sanctions is that there is a spill-over and contagion effect on the rest of the country, in particular by imposing a blanket negative perception about Zimbabwe across the world, more so in the sensitive global financial markets. This perception results in the country being unable to attract the muchneeded foreign direct investment, lines of credit and other financial services that are essential to the socio-economic development of the country.”
Kenyan President William Ruto at UNGA 2022
“There might never be a more opportune time to revisit the practice of unilateral coercive actions, which often violate fundamental tenets of a rule-based international order, such as those imposed on Zimbabwe and Cuba. Apart from undermining the sovereign equality of nations, they also indiscriminately punish the general citizenry, reserving their bitterest sting for innocent hustlers and the vulnerable. This compounds injustice and worsens suffering.”