By Claver Nyuki
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reiterated its call for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, saying they have an adverse effects on the regions regional economic integration and development agenda.
SADC statements comes in the wake of an avalanche of statements on social media by the U.S and E.U watering down the impacts of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
In a statement released by SADC to commemorate the Anti-sanctions day against Zimbabwe, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, highlighted that the removal of the sanctions would stand to benefit everyone.
“The removal of sanctions will benefit Zimbabweans and the SADC Region, as well as, enhance cooperation of SADC with the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA),” She said.
In her strong and bold statement, Dr Tax also dismissed the notion that the illegal sanctions are targeted.
“The sanctions have proved to be directly affecting entities beyond the so-called targeted individuals, and have a negative impact on the credibility of Zimbabwe and serious trickle-down effects on the economy and people of Zimbabwe, and by extension, the SADC Region,” she said.
She added: “The State owned enterprises traditionally contribute significantly to SADC economies including that of Zimbabwe, and that at the peak of the Zimbabwean economy, state owned enterprises contributed close to 40 percent of the Zimbabwean economy, and as at now, is estimated to contribute about 14 percent of Zimbabwe’s GDP, making these entities a key part of the economy.”
Dr Tax said SADC stands united on its call for the removal of Zimbabwe’s U.S imposed illegal sanctions.
“In recognizing the socio-economic impact of the sanctions on Zimbabwe, the 39th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country.
“The prevailing sanctions on Zimbabwe, including the unlawful restrictions on multilateral financing and business dealings with US companies, have negatively impacted on the strategic economic sectors of Zimbabwe and presents barriers to innovation, investment and growth,” she said.
Meanwhile, the SADC Heads of Mission accredited to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria released a statement in solidarity with the call for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The statement signed by the Chairperson of SADC Heads of Mission in Algeria, Omar Yussuf Mzee, called for the immediate removal of the sanctions lamenting their advserse effects on the country if prolonged.
“The political and economic sanctions deny Zimbabwe access to credit lines, balance of payments support, support from international financial institution and assistance from development partners.
“The sanctions also hinder the ability of the Government of Zimbabwe to provide basic goods and services to its People.”
Thousands of Zimbabweans today partook in the historical Anti-Sanctions Day march that took place in the capital, with several other activities lined up across the country.
