Nevanji Nehoreka
Harare – In a strong display of regional solidarity, the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government has once again reiterated its call for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The Summit, held in Harare on August 17th, 2024, denounced the sanctions as continuing to “hinder the progress and prosperity on the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the SADC region.” This marks the regional body’s unwavering stance in supporting its member state.
“The Summit reiterated the regional call made at the 39th SADC Summit for unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe and acknowledged that the sanctions continue to hinder the progress and prosperity on the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the SADC region,” the communique stated.
The sanctions, first imposed by the United States and European Union in the early 2000s, have been a major point of contention between Zimbabwe and the Western powers. SADC has consistently maintained that the measures are unjustified and counterproductive, undermining the country’s development efforts.
In his opening remarks, SADC’s new Chairperson, Zimbabwean leader His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed gratitude to his counterparts for electing him to lead the regional bloc. He is expected to continue championing Zimbabwe’s cause during his tenure.
The Summit also endorsed a theme for the 44th SADC Summit, titled “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised SADC.” This underscores the region’s focus on driving economic transformation through technological advancement.
With the SADC region standing united in its support for Zimbabwe, the call for the lifting of sanctions is likely to gain further momentum on the continental and global stage. The region’s collective voice carries significant weight, and this latest denouncement adds further pressure on the international community to heed the regional body’s demands.
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