By Tendai Matunhu
SADC continues to call for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed upon Zimbabwe to facilitate the country’s socio-economic recovery.
Whilst addressing delegates at the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Summit in Nairobi yesterday, Tanzania's Foreign Minister Palamagamba Kabudi said, “The 39th Head of State and Government Southern African Development Committee (SADC) summit that was held in Dar er Salam, Tanzania, in August 2019 noted with concern the adverse socio-economic impact of the prevailing socio-economic sanctions imposed upon Zimbabwe and expressed solidarity with it and called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions to facilitate for socio-economic recovery in the country.
“The SADC summit further directed that the subject of the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe be introduced in every forum which SADC participates or meets with critical stakeholders. The summit further expressed the need for the collective voice of disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions against Zimbabwe are lifted,” said Minister Kabudi.
The Tanzanian Foreign Minister informed the delegates that the republic of Zimbabwe is on course in implementing economic and political reforms and that reform process is ongoing. He said there was need to allow people in Zimbabwe to pursue reforms without deliberating effects of economic sanctions.
Minister Kabudi went on to call upon ACP group of states to take note of the decision of the 39th SADC summit of Heads of States and Government on the unconditional lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe and request ACP member States to stand in solidarity with SADC and call for immediate unconditional removal of all sanctions against the republic of Zimbabwe
On the same issue, SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax last week posted on her twitter handle speaking on the removal of sanctions saying, “Engaging on the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe and support in the revitalisation of her economy.”
However, netizens have been on her throat since then. In response, Dr Tax tweeted saying, “Thank u for contributing. The call to remove sanctions on Zimbabwe is a SADC decision and cannot be taken as being a ZANU PF political commissar! On blocking, we are open to constructive criticism, not insults. Your views have shaped our engagement on sanctions and efforts are bearing fruits.”
The 9th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 9 to 10 December 2019 and it is running under the theme, “A Transformed ACP: Committed to Multilateralism”.
Sanctions are detrimental as they affect investor confidence, which is why it is important that the sanctions be removed immediately. Sanctions are hindering development in the country thereby affecting vision 2030 of becoming a middle income economy.
