Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson, President Emmerson Mnangagwa says illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West continue to hurt vulnerable groups while stifling progress in all sectors of the economy hence the need for the embargo to be lifted as a matter of urgency.
This comes on the eve of the SADC anti-sanctions day which will be marked this Friday.
Zimbabwe has been battling illegal economic sanctions for over 20 years, and to push the United States and its Western allies to lift the embargo, the region has designated the 25th of October as SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.
President Mnangagwa, who also chairs SADC is unequivocal on the adverse effects of the illegal embargo which have hurt ordinary Zimbabweans and the national economy at large.
“I wish to echo the unrelenting voices and pleas by the outgoing SADC Chairperson His Excellency, João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and other past Chairpersons and, indeed, our brothers and sisters in the region in condemning and calling for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the sanctions. It is the ordinary people, particularly the vulnerable, who bear the brunt of these heinous and inhumane measures, which also stifle economic and social progress in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The SADC Chairperson said the illegal sanctions undermine regional efforts towards integration and sustainable development.
He said, “Our region enjoys relative peace and stability and continues to work towards achieving a prosperous and integrated region. We strive to secure a future where all our countries and peoples realise their mutually shared aspirations without leaving anyone and any place behind. The imposition of sanctions undermines our collective efforts towards regional integration and sustainable development. As a community, we have to continue working together to ensure that our region remains a beacon of hope and prosperity, for generations to come.”
President Mnangagwa further implored all progressive nations to continue advocating for the lifting of sanctions for Zimbabwe and the region to contribute extensively to the world’s socio-economic development.
“May this message transcend our borders and reach the ears and rattle the conscience of those perpetuating these cruel sanctions. They must realise the extent of harm their reprehensible actions inflict on the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, on the SADC region, and Africa, at large. I implore all progressive countries to continue rendering their principled support, to enable Zimbabwe and the SADC region to meaningfully contribute to the socio-economic development of the region and the world,” said the President.
The Second Republic has, however, come up with home grown solutions to transform the economy through massive infrastructure development projects as well as the modernisation and industrialisation taking shape in all sectors of the economy.
