President belauded for an effective anti-sanctions drive
Hosia Mviringi
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been extoled for being a leading light in the country's protracted struggle against the US war sanctions on the country.
Adding his voice to the anti-sanctions discourse on the eve of the Africa-wide fourth SADC commemorations of the Zimbabwe Anti-sanctions Day which falls on October 25 every year, business magnet and recently elected Central Committee member for Mt Darwin, Dr James Makamba heaped praise on the President whom he described as an indefatigable workhorse.
"Zimbabwe has been under an illegal economic sanctions regime for over two decades now. But it only took the coming to power of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to convince SADC and subsequently the African Union about the evil nature of the unilateral economic sanctions by the US and the European Union. His diplomatic prowess is yet to be equalled in this generation," said Dr Makamba.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) first made a declaration in support of Zimbabwe’s fight against economic sanctions in Tanzania in 2019, recognising economic sanctions on Zimbabwe as sanctions against the region due to their spill over effects.
While it has been agreed all along that sanctions on the country were illegal, unjustifiable, and that they were affecting the vulnerable poor people, it took proactive diplomatic manoeuvres to convince the region to adopt a common position to stand by the country in it’s fight against the economic embargo.
"The President, like a real commander that he is, led from the front, engaging regional and continental leaders at the slightest opportunity, sensitising them on the nature of the sanctions, and to convince them that indeed an injury to one is an injury to all. The President has been steadfast in engagement and re-engagement programs, working quietly underground, in direct contrast to the megaphone diplomacy that the country had become accustomed to. And the results are there for all to see, making noise from multiple mouthpieces across the continent and globally."
President Mnangagwa announced that he will personally lead this year's main commemorations in Harare with various activities slated for Provincial Capitals countrywide. Such is his commitment to see the message against sanctions being amplified so that it's seriousness is never in doubt.
This year's commemorations come barely a month after Zimbabwe's anti-sanctions message got a big endorsement at the just concluded 77th United Nations General Assembly which took place in September in New York. The 77th UNGA in New York was unique in that the crusade against sanctions on Zimbabwe took a louder and more unequivocal stand as the whole African continent reverberated in unison against the illegal punitive measures.
The groundswell of support for the country’s position on sanctions at the 77th United Nations General Assembly opened the eyes of many neutrals who may have not known the effects of sanctions on the country.
"We must thank the President for his 'never say die' spirit when it comes to serious national issues. We have faced denial from our very own people in the past. Some have even opposed and dismissed the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the effects of Unilateral Coercive Measures, Ms Alena Douhan, whose October 2021 mission concluded that the sanctions were hurting businesses and the poor. Indeed business has become the biggest casualty of the embargo because the country cannot trade freely on the back of a heightened country risk. As such sanctions can be classified as a national security risk and an attack on the sacred human rights and are worth everyone's condemnation," said Dr Makamba.
In as much as the instigators claim that sanctions are targeted at certain individuals, it is regrettable that the embargo has hit the unintended targets harder, some of which they claim to protect.
“Business has bone the brunt of the illegal sanctions regime and the loses suffered to date can never be quantified. Local banks lost key correspondent relationships with foreign banks, a situation which adversely affected trade and foreign direct investment into the country. Industries keep closing while many more workers are offloaded onto the streets. As a direct result of sanctions the socio-economic situation of ordinary citizens has been on a Southward slide,” said Makamba.
Speaking from a business perspective, Dr James Makamba implored the international community, especially those countries that maintain illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, to see a reason to let go of an archaic international relations principle of sanctions and opt for negotiations as a way to solve differences.
Dr Makamba urged citizens of Zimbabwe to come out in their numbers on October 25 to join the rest of Africa in one loud voice against sanctions on the country.
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