Staff Reporter
Zimbabweans in the diaspora protested against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States (US) and its allies, at the just ended 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) in New York yesterday.
The protesters called on the USA and its allies to keep their ‘Hands-off Zimbabwe, a call that echoed that of African leaders who also demanded the unconditional removal of same.
Speaking to the Harare Post via a telephone interview, Tinotenda Mangwiro said their protest was a success as it attracted the support of other American and African students in the US who felt that the West has no authority to moderate African matters.
“Our protest was a big success today. Fellow American and African students here in the US joined our cause. The statement was very short and simple. It was ‘Hands-off Zimbabwe.’ African matters should be left to Africans. The AU can resolve African matters without external interference,” said Mangwiro.
Earlier in the week, African leaders had raised their concerns over the imposition of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe by the US and its allies, labelling them a crime against humanity.
“There might never be a more opportune time to revisit the practice of unilateral coercive actions, which often violate fundamental tenets of a rule-based international order, such as those imposed on Zimbabwe and Cuba. Apart from undermining the sovereign equality of nations, they also indiscriminately punish the general citizenry, reserving their bitterest sting for innocent hustlers and the vulnerable. This compounds injustice and worsens suffering,” said Kenyan President William Ruto.
On Saturday, opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) had also planned to stage mass protests at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in an attempt to call for stiffer sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.
However, the protest was a big flop due to some internal skirmishes over misappropriation of funds by CCC interim spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and her deputy, Gift Ostallos Siziba. It is alleged that Mahere and Siziba defrauded party supporters of their presentation allowance of US$1 500 each. A total of 17 supporters out of the expected 83 participated in the CCC protest.
