The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for the “immediate and unconditional” removal of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, describing them as “illegal measures that violate the basic human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans.”
This call came on the 25th of October, which SADC has designated as Anti-Sanctions Day, a day set aside annually to spotlight and protest against the sanctions imposed on SADC member states.
In a media statement released on Friday, October 25, 2024, Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the SADC community for its solidarity, emphasizing the detrimental impact of the sanctions on Zimbabwean citizens.
“I wish to echo the unrelenting voices and pleas by the outgoing SADC Chairperson His Excellency, João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and other past Chairpersons and, indeed, our brothers and sisters in the Region in condemning and calling for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the sanctions. It is the ordinary people, particularly the vulnerable, who bear the brunt of these heinous and inhumane measures, which also stifle economic and social progress in Zimbabwe.” said Mnangagwa.
“In solidarity, the SADC community, today, joins Zimbabwe in calling for the immediate and unconditional removal of these unwarranted and cruel sanctions, which violate the basic tenets of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.” said Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted how the sanctions undermine regional economic integration and stability in the Southern African community.
“Our region enjoys relative peace and stability and continues to work towards achieving a prosperous and integrated region. We strive to secure a future where all our countries and peoples realise their mutually shared aspirations without leaving anyone and any place behind. The imposition of sanctions undermines our collective efforts towards regional integration and sustainable development.” he added.
In 2001, the United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001 through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) following the country’s land reform program, which sought to redistribute agricultural land to the black African majority. In 2002, the European Union (EU) introduced additional sanctions, citing security concerns.
These sanctions have had severe economic repercussions, with millions of Zimbabweans struggling amid rising poverty and economic instability. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the impact on women and children has been especially harsh, with poverty described as having “a child’s face” in Zimbabwe. UNICEF estimates that of the 6.3 million children in Zimbabwe, 4.8 million live in poverty, including 1.6 million in extreme poverty.
SADC’s stance aligns with the broader African Union (AU) support. On the same day, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat released a statement affirming the AU’s support for the removal of sanctions, urging constructive dialogue with international parties to lift the remaining sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“The Chairperson acknowledges the engagement with the European Union through political dialogue. In this regard, he encourages all parties to continue constructive dialogue with a view to remove the remaining sanctions against institutions and individuals of the Republic of Zimbabwe.” read the statement.
