The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) have united in their call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of economic sanctions against Zimbabwe.
This appeal was prominently featured during the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, marked annually on October 25, a date established during the 40th SADC Summit in 2020 to advocate against what the region deems illegal punitive measures against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s President and current SADC chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa delivered a poignant address emphasising the detrimental impact these sanctions have had on ordinary Zimbabweans, particularly the vulnerable populations who bear the brunt of such policies.
“The sanctions violate the basic human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans,” Mnangagwa said, reiterating the region’s solidarity with Zimbabwe in its fight against these measures.
The sanctions, initially imposed by Western nations in the early 2000s, were ostensibly a response to alleged human rights abuses and electoral fraud in Zimbabwe.
However, critics argue that these economic restrictions have stifled the country’s growth, exacerbated poverty and hindered efforts for social and economic recovery.
The SADC and AU believe these measures undermine regional stability and development as they disrupt trade and investment, pivotal for the economic revitalization of Zimbabwe and the rest of the region.
In a parallel statement, AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat echoed the call for the sanctions’ removal, acknowledging ongoing political dialogue with the European Union aimed at addressing these issues.
In this regard, the AU chief “encourages all parties to continue constructive dialogue with a view to remove the remaining sanctions against institutions and individuals of the Republic of Zimbabwe.”
He expressed concern over the sanctions’ lasting negative impact on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic landscape and reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting SADC’s efforts in this regard.
Both organisations underscored that ongoing sanctions contradict international law and the principles outlined in the Charter of the United Nations.
