By Rudo Saungweme
Zanu PF party yesterday castigated the United States of America (USA) for the extension of sanctions on Zimbabwe indicating that the decision made was crippling efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) of implementing its National Reform Agenda including the engagement and reengagement policy.
In the press statement yesterday, Zanu PF Secretary For Administration and Publicity and Party Spokesperson, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said, “On the 4th of March 2019, the USA President Donald Trump announced the extension of illegal sanctions by a further one year against the Sovereign Republic of Zimbabwe primarily on the alleged basis that His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa and his Government have not lived up to the commitment to effecting what the USA terms ‘reforms’.
“ZANU PF notes that this development comes hard on the heels of another similar decision by the European Union extending sanctions on Zimbabwe. This perpetuation of hostilities by the U.S.A and other likeminded countries is unjustifiable, despicable and contemptible, to say the least as it comes against clear efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe towards implementation of the National Reform Agenda including the engagement policy,” he said.
Ambassador Moyo dismissed assumptions by the USA that the July 30, 2018 Presidential elections were not free and fair.
“It cannot be correct for the American Government to infer that the recent harmonised elections in Zimbabwe were irregular as they were endorsed by domestic, regional and continental bodies like SADC, the AU and various other international observer missions. The verdict by the Zimbabwe Constitutional Court on the electoral challenge by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, declaring President E.D Mnangagwa the winner brought the matter to finality.”
Since President Mnangagwa came into office in November 2017, he has been engaging and reengaging with the international community, which saw many countries trickling into Zimbabwe.
Last week Botswana President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, was in Zimbabwe for the Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission which saw the Botswana Government investing US$95 million to Zimbabwe. The visit has strengthened trade opportunities between Botswana and Zimbabwe a situation that will see Zimbabwe increasing its exports to Botswana from the current US$26million as it thrives to tap into Botswana’s US$6billion import bill.
On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is also set to arrive in Zimbabwe for the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission which is also anticipated to open more trade opportunities.
