Staff Reporter

The Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES) Zimbabwe recently held a National Executive Council (NEC) strategic planning and team-building meeting yesterday, bringing together leaders from across the nation.

The session, attended by provincial chairpersons and representatives from the Women’s and Youth Wings, aimed to map out strategies for intensifying the fight against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe while mitigating their socio-economic effects.

Speaking during the meeting, CAES Executive Director Martin Zharare highlighted the need for collective action.
“Sanctions are a burden to every Zimbabwean, affecting businesses, families, and individuals. This meeting has allowed us to solidify our approach for the year ahead, focusing on advocacy and tangible solutions for our communities,” he said.

CAES Women’s Wing Chairperson, Mrs. Angela Dhliwayo, spoke on the disproportionate impact of sanctions on women.
“Women bear the brunt of economic hardships caused by sanctions. As a wing, we are committed to implementing programs that provide relief and empower women economically,” she said.

The Youth Wing National Chairperson, Talent Moyo, emphasised the role of young people in the movement.
“The youth are the vanguard of this cause. Through mobilisation and awareness campaigns, we aim to amplify the message that sanctions are unjust and harmful to the future of Zimbabwe,” they said.

Echoing these sentiments, a provincial chairperson, Rollend Mafesi Dube, from one of the affected regions, said, “Sanctions are not just a national issue; they affect every corner of Zimbabwe. At the provincial level, we are focused on raising awareness and fostering resilience within our communities.”

The meeting concluded with the leadership reaffirming their commitment to advocating for the removal of sanctions and implementing strategies to counteract their negative impacts.
CAES leaders emphasised unity and active engagement as the pillars of their approach for the year ahead.