Staff Writer

All is set for this year’s regional anti-sanctions day commemorations as SADC and other African countries join hands in solidarity with Zimbabwe’s call for the lifting of illegal sanctions imposed by the West since year 2000.

This year’s event marks the third year running since SADC designated 25 October as the region’s day of solidarity with Zimbabwe against the punitive embargos in 2019.

Briefing journalists after a cabinet meeting in Harare yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said that the Foreign Affairs ministry was currently seized with preparations for the event.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Frederick Shava, briefed cabinet on the theme and programme of activities for this year’s SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day, to be held on 25 October, 2021,” she said.

This year’s theme compliments President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe being open for business mantra, themed “Friend to All, Enemy to none: Forging Ahead and Enhancing Innovation and Productivity in Adversity of Sanctions”.

While over the years individual countries had supported Zimbabwe in calling for the removal of the sanctions, the anti-sanctions drive by SADC as a region over the past two years was said to have rallied more support for the country, even from non-SADC countries.

Activities to mark the day will be headlined by the President’s keynote address, programmes on the negative impact of sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans through testimonies from affected businesses and other population groups, including women, the youth and vulnerable groups across all socio-economic sectors.

“The activities will also include engagements of the Diaspora, diplomatic corps and SADC missions. Media briefings, interviews and webinars by Zimbabwean Ambassadors in their areas of accreditation will be conducted, while statements on the sanctions situation will be delivered during bilateral and multilateral meetings,” she added.

Buoyed by this solidarity, Government also urged all Zimbabweans to play their part in highlighting the country’s plight as it forges towards self-emancipation and attainment of Vision 2030.