by Innocent Mujeri
Several African countries have continued to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe in calling for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West since 2002.
As the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day (25 October) approaches, various African leaders have implored the West to remove sanctions that are causing untold suffering to the people of Zimbabwe.
Recently, South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mphakama Mbete, said his Government was going to continue calling for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
“My government and other SADC member states will take part in the commemorations of the Anti-Sanctions Day scheduled for October 25. All SADC members’ states are rallying behind Zimbabwe in the fight against the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, which is affecting the general populace,” said Mbete.
Mbete’s sentiments were echoed by the Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Annie Yauka Kumwenda, who said the illegal sanctions have affected not only Zimbabwe, but the SADC region as a whole and should be immediately removed.
“Malawi stands in solidarity with Zimbabwe, SADC and all well-wishers in calling an end to the sanctions. The sanctions are actually impinging on human rights. Children are born and raised in a sanction environment. Access to quality life like education, health, food, shelter is compromised, all because of the sanctions. Please lift the sanctions for the well-being of children who know nothing about sanctions apart from bearing their consequences,” she said.
Speaking at the recently held United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) virtual meeting, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who is also the African Union Chairperson also urged the West to lift all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe to allow the country to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other African leaders such as President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and John Magufuli of Tanzania have used various platforms to urge the West to unconditionally remove the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as they are hurting the ordinary people.
In a communiqué of the 39th SADC Summit of the Heads of State and Government in 2019, 25 October was declared an Anti-sanctions Day in which SADC countries would conduct various activities in their respective countries to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.
On the illegal sanctions, the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said, "Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country".
