Innocent Mujeri
For over two decades, Zimbabwe has suffered under crippling sanctions, primarily imposed by the United States through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) and supported by the European Union. These sanctions, initially implemented under the guise of promoting democratic reforms and punishing alleged human rights abuses have, instead, served as a death sentence for Zimbabwe’s economic and social development. Far from their intended purpose, the sanctions have become a calculated tool for economic suffocation, eroding the nation’s ability to grow and prosper, and depriving its people of access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
While the sanctions are often portrayed as “targeted” measures aimed at select individuals and entities, the reality is that their effects have rippled across Zimbabwe’s entire economy, punishing ordinary citizens more than those in power. The country has been cut off from crucial international financing, trade, and investment, amounting to a form of economic warfare that has left Zimbabwe struggling to meet even its basic needs. International financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and African Development Bank (AfDB) have been barred from extending credit or financial support to Zimbabwe due to these sanctions, leaving the country unable to fund vital infrastructure projects or support critical sectors like agriculture and industry.
One of the most significant impacts of these sanctions has been the deterioration of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. The country has been unable to import essential medical supplies, such as life-saving drugs and equipment, because of the financial restrictions linked to sanctions. Hospitals across Zimbabwe are understaffed, under-resourced, and frequently unable to provide basic medical care. The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when Zimbabwe struggled to procure vaccines and medical supplies necessary to combat the virus.
The education sector has not been spared either. Schools across Zimbabwe lack even basic supplies due to sanctions. The long-term effects of this educational crisis are immeasurable, as an entire generation of Zimbabwean youth is being denied the opportunity to learn and acquire the skills necessary for the future. Depriving a nation’s youth of education is akin to destroying its future prospects—a tactic that mirrors the intent of genocide—the elimination of a population through indirect, yet equally devastating, means.
Zimbabwe’s key industries, such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, have also been severely undermined by the sanctions. State-owned enterprises, which once contributed over 40% of the country’s GDP, now contribute significantly less due to their inability to access global markets, financing, or modern technology. Agriculture, the livelihood of millions of Zimbabweans, has faced particularly harsh consequences. The Agricultural Bank of Zimbabwe, now AFC Commercial Bank, a critical institution responsible for providing loans to small-scale farmers, was under sanctions until 2016, severely limiting farmers’ ability to expand and modernise their operations. As a result, agricultural productivity has plummeted, further exacerbating the country’s food security issues.
In the mining sector, sanctions imposed on the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) have had a crippling effect on Zimbabwe’s ability to engage with international buyers and markets. This has led to a significant decline in revenue, hindering the development of Zimbabwe’s vast mineral wealth. These sanctions have also severely restricted Zimbabwe’s ability to benefit from its mining operations, which could otherwise play a pivotal role in its economic recovery.
Beyond the damage to its key industries, Zimbabwe has faced a debilitating isolation from global financial markets. International banks have been reluctant to engage with Zimbabwe for fear of violating sanctions and facing penalties. As a result, Zimbabwe’s financial sector has become increasingly disconnected from the global economy, making it nearly impossible for the country to access credit, invest in growth, or secure international trade deals. This has severely limited Zimbabwe’s ability to participate in global trade, which is essential for economic development.
The most devastating impact of these sanctions, however, is the immense human suffering they have caused. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed, poverty is rampant, and hyperinflation has eroded the value of Zimbabwe’s currency. Millions of Zimbabweans are trapped in a cycle of poverty, struggling to afford basic necessities like food, fuel, and healthcare. The sanctions have effectively turned Zimbabwe into a survivalist nation, with many forced to rely on the informal sector for income as formal employment opportunities dwindle. The social and economic collapse has driven millions to flee the country in search of better opportunities in neighbouring nations, creating a regional crisis as Zimbabweans overwhelm the social services of neighbouring countries.
Despite these devastating realities, the international community, particularly the United States, continues to justify these sanctions as a necessary tool for promoting democracy and human rights. This narrative is both hypocritical and disingenuous. While sanctions are ostensibly intended to punish those in power, it is the ordinary Zimbabwean citizen who is suffering the most. The sanctions have done little to foster political reform but have instead entrenched poverty and inequality, undermining Zimbabwe’s ability to build a prosperous and just society.
The UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, Alena Douhan, after visiting Zimbabwe in 2022, called for the immediate lifting of sanctions, stating that they have exacerbated the country’s pre-existing social and economic challenges. She highlighted that the sanctions have deprived Zimbabweans of their basic human rights, including the right to healthcare, education, and development. These rights are protected under international law, and their violation through sanctions is indefensible.
In conclusion, the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are not only illegal under international law but also morally unjustifiable. They have caused immense suffering for millions of Zimbabweans and have effectively strangled the country’s economy. The ripple effects of these sanctions are akin to economic genocide, systematically eroding the social and economic structures of the nation. It is time for the international community to recognise the human cost of these punitive measures and demand their immediate removal.
Zimbabwe deserves the opportunity to rebuild and recover from decades of economic destruction. Only through the removal of these sanctions can Zimbabwe begin to heal and regain its position as a thriving nation in Southern Africa. The world has a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe and demand an end to these unjust and inhumane sanctions. Only then can Zimbabwe truly begin to chart its path towards peace, stability and prosperity.
