By Christopher Makaza
Comesa Diplomat and consultant Onesai Hove has urged SADC to have practical and non-political engagements with the West to show that they are seriously against sanctions illegally imposed on Zimbabwe.
In an interview Hove said that the SADC was just making political statements without direct engagements with the West. “To show their seriousness they should send a delegation to the West on the issue of sanctions. Currently only the affected nation (Zimbabwe) is sending people to the West on the issue. South Africa by virtue of having a strong economy should take a leading role to that effect,” he said.
Hove castigated other SADC countries who are signing mega deals with the West which imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe at the same time making political statements on the removal of sanctions.
Same said many Zimbabweans representing Comesa are pro MDC therefore can`t advance government`s vision 2030.
SADC countries declared October 25 as a solidarity day against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and various countries on the day carried out anti sanction activities in their respective countries, calling for the unconditional removal of Zimbabwe sanctions. In his speech at the National Sports Stadium, President Emmerson Mnangagwa described the Western sanctions as a "cancer" sapping the country`s economy.
Similar marches were held throughout the country after President Mnangagwa declared the day a public holiday.
Diplomats who graced the anti-sanction march included those from China, Iran, Sudan, Namibia, Malawi, Palestine, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal, India, Ethiopia and Russia among others.
Meanwhile Ambassadors of SADC member states in Tanzania resolved at a meeting held recently that they will implore the Chair of African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahama to issue an anti-sanction statement in solidarity with Zimbabwe and SADC.
The team want the issue of Zimbabwe sanctions to be submitted to SADC as an agenda item to be discussed by the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in February 2020.
