By Shongedzai Mugwagwa
The African Union (AU) has adopted the resolution to call for the unconditional lifting of illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, the Harare Post can report.
In a show of high level support, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergu tabled a security report on the continent today on the ongoing 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Information obtained by this publication revealed that the report strongly and explicitly denounces illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe labelling them ‘inhuman.’
The Summit underscored the efforts made by Zimbabwe in the fight against sanction and therefore unanimously agreed that as a continent they should support Zimbabwe’s fight against sanctions and those imposed on other four African countries.
In his address in Ethiopia, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that he is fully committed to continue bringing change to the country and implementing necessary reforms. He however bemoaned the Western tactic of imposing sanctions as a way of arm-twisting the country to accede to the dictated demands.
“Zimbabwe is therefore fully committed to continue implementing voluntary reforms because they are good for our people and further facilitate sustainable development, national unity and peace... to enhance international peace and cooperation, dialogue not sanctions is the right approach,” he said.
Voices have been heard from different bodies and parties on the continent, calling for sanctions to be removed against Zimbabwe and Southern African Development Community (SADC) made theirs, with the region expressing solidarity with the Government of the people of Zimbabwe, and calling upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country.
The SADC Heads of State and Government also noted that the Government had commenced dialogue with all stakeholders in the country with a view to strengthening economic transformation, and called upon all stakeholders to support the process.
Speaking at an inaugural anti-sanctions event in the capital President Mnangagwa said that Zimbabwe is fed up with illegal Western sanctions and wants them to be unconditionally removed as soon as possible.
South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) on Friday marched alongside their Zimbabwean counterparts calling for removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean leaders and selected companies are under targeted sanctions from the U.S. and the west who accused them of human rights violations.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission has reiterated his concerns that the persistence of economic sanctions imposed by the international community, continue to have negative impact on the economy and the people of Zimbabwe.
South Africa has taken over the reign of the Union’s Chairmanship taking over from Botswana.
