By Elliot Dambarara
The subject of the so called “targeted or smart sanctions” has been topical in the past decade or so. Bold questions must be asked and answered in the quest to address the conduct and manner in which sanctions are imposed. There have been dictatorial tendencies and unintelligible talk aiming at sugar-coating the actual evil behind the so called “smart” sanctions.
Why are African nations always on the hit list by these Western superpowers, and do the sanctions imposers really ever meditate on the impact of the so called targeted sanctions? Contrary to their “targeted sanctions” talk, the economic impact of the heinous measures is devastating and catastrophic.
The Zimbabwean case is even worse as there is nothing “targeted” about the sanctions, but rather it’s a cocktail of punitive economic restrictions and embargoes imposed by the West. The biggest question which most Zimbabweans have is that: What had Zimbabweans done to deserve such evil, devilish and punitive measures? What threats does Zimbabwe pose to the status quo of the super powers, particularly America and Britain?
The Americans have gone three regimes without moving an inch on their position on Zimbabwe. They are punishing the ordinary Zimbabwean for being black and being citizens of a mineral rich country. Unfortunately, the carrot and stick approach to diplomacy applied by the West has intoxicated the diplomatic terrain. Everyone in Zimbabwe was hopeful that sanctions will go with former President Robert Mugabe, but now it is very clear that there is a very odious agenda behind sanctions; to topple any ZANU PF led government.
To the shame or lack of it on the part of the Americans, they are peddling propaganda which aims at undermining the Zimbabwean efforts for international reengagement. Sanctions are by their very nature a violation of human rights and in the Zimbabwean case, the sanctions have turned up to be an arsenal of economic terrorism.
These so called “smart” sanctions are not as smart as they say they are. They have matured into fully fledged diplomatic warfare and the battlefield has extended to the extent of knuckling Zimbabwe out of the digital space. There are certain pieces of software which have been blocked from reach by anyone in Zimbabwe. In that case how would someone in the right conscience expect a country to technologically develop and excel under such unscrupulous conditions?
That act alone means Zimbabwean children are deprived a fundamental right to education in matters of technology. Children have done nothing, but just grew up in a nightmare of digital isolation. In all fairness, who in the right mind would throw a sharpened double-edged sword called SANCTIONS on children! Children of all the people!
Recently, it came as a shock to all Zimbabweans to learn that CBZ have been hit by a Z$3.8 billion penalty for having handled certain transaction on behalf of a fellow Zimbabwean financial institution, ZB Bank. This means Zimbabwe’s whole financial system is also a target and America keeps claiming the sanctions are against individuals.
It is a fallacy to think sanctions are meant for a listed few people. Sanctions have crippled the trading system within the Zimbabwean economy and the effects of sanctions have grossly affected the ordinary Zimbabwean man, women and children.
It is of paramount importance for the SADC citizenry to rise up against the evil and unjustified international isolation of Zimbabwe. It is time for the sons and daughters of Africa to stand tall and firm against sanctions which are hurting African nations more than any other continent.
As the SADC region prepares for solidarity with Zimbabwe over the sanctions on 25 October 2019, it is a time for all Zimbabweans to come out in their numbers to show their revulsion for these wicked measures.
