by Chiedza Muswe

Zimbabwe needs to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has said.

In a press statement today, the Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana said Government was shocked with the extension of sanctions on Zimbabwe by one more year.

 “Government has noted with dismay the White House message to the United States Congress in which a decision was made to extend the sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe for one more year. Once again the Government of the United States has chosen to strangely characterise Zimbabwe as a country that poses an extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.

“We find this a baffling position. All the Zimbabwean Government asks for is to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations do. We do not seek to interfere with foreign policy or interests of any nation and we have no history of doing that. Our commitment is to the development of our country and the delivery of socio-economic outcomes to our people,” said the Permanent Secretary.

Mangwana also said, Zimbabwe objects to claims that its security forces engaged in acts of killings and rape against its own citizens last year.

“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly objects to the unfounded assertion that its security forces engaged in acts of extrajudicial killings and rape against its own citizens last year. Any acts of criminality by anyone are subjected to the criminal justice processes of the country.

“We have embarked on a pathway of reform because it is in the best interests of our nation to do so and it is also necessary to align our policies and programmes with our constitution. We therefore call upon those nations who wish our country and people well to partner us and be patient with us as we continue to undertake these reforms towards meeting the aspirations of our people,” he said.

Sanctions have devastated the economy of Zimbabwe as the country and its entire financial linkages with the rest of the world are regarded as high risk. Zimbabwean companies and individuals have found it difficult to effect payments through the international payment platforms as these transactions are interrupted and blocked by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of Treasury that administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions.

The sanctions on Zimbabwe affect ordinary Zimbabweans, especially women, children and people with disabilities and SADC and AU have joined Zimbabwe in calling for their removal.

On a positive note the EU recently softened its stance on Zimbabwe as evidenced by the removal of some Government officials from the sanctions list with the likes of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga being taken off the list.