SADC member states affirms the call for removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe

by in News

By Staff Reporter

Barely a few hours after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat released a Statement by SADC Chairperson His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera calling on western countries to remove trade and other sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe two decades ago, SADC member states through their envoys in Malawi have affirmed the call through a joint statement released at a press briefing held at the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Lilongwe, on Monday.

Reading the statement Tanzanian High Commissioner to Malawi, His Excellency Benedicto Mashiba, who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps said the sanctions on Zimbabwe are harmful and have damaged the Zimbabwe’s economy.

“We are aware that Zimbabwe has lost billions of United States dollars over the past 20 years due to these illegal economic sanctions,” Said H.E Mashiba

“We voice our disapproval and condemnation of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and call for the immediate removal of these sanctions as Zimbabwe has made concerted efforts towards engagement with the international community in line with Zimbabwe’s mantra, ‘Friend to all, Enemy to none,” said Mashiba.

“We are cognizant of the major developmental strides being taken by the current harsh and illegal economic sanctions imposed on the Government and people of Zimbabwe, under the theme adopted by Zimbabwe for 2021, ‘Friend to All, Enemy to none: Forging ahead and enhancing productivity in Adversity of Sanctions’.

In the statement released earlier SADC, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera said the Regional body is worried with the continued sanctions on Zimbabwe.

“As SADC, we are concerned by the continuation of sanctions on some individuals or entities of Zimbabwe and hereby call for the unconditional and immediate lifting of these sanctions. There is no doubt that this lifting will facilitate socio-economic recovery, and enable Zimbabwe meet he