By Lungile Siziba
For over 20 years, Zimbabwe and its people have been suffering under illegal sanctions imposed by the West, mainly the United States, acting in solidarity with the United Kingdom, most of whose citizens had lost pieces of land following the successful Land Reform Programme.
The Land Question gave the US a great opportunity to punish Zimbabwe with the illegal sanctions under the guise that human rights were violated during the land redistribution programme.
However, it has become clear to most political and economic commentators that the US imposed sanctions to aid the opposition in Zimbabwe to dethrone the ruling party, ZANU PF.
Unfortunately, the plan has dismally failed as the people have remained solidly behind the revolutionary party as evidenced by election results since the year 2000.
The sanctions have only succeeded in making life difficult for the people after some companies closed and others downsized while others relocated to other parts of the continent.
In his address on October 25 to mark the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also SADC Chairperson, said the region has made “tremendous progress” since 2019, when the 39th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government designated the day as one of action against sanctions.
The President said SADC member States have always stood in solidarity
with Zimbabwe.
“The Summit decision added impetus to our collective resolve to fight against these illegal measures, which violate the basic human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“In solidarity, the SADC community, today (October 25), joins Zimbabwe in calling for the immediate and unconditional removal of these unwarranted and cruel sanctions, which violate the basic tenets of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
President Mnangagwa added that the 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.
“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,” said President Mnangagwa.
He called on 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.
