Sanctions cost Zimbabwe over USD$40 Billion  

Sanctions cost Zimbabwe over USD$40 Billion

Brian Rungnao Temba

Illegal sanctions have cost the Zimbabwean economy upwards of US$40 billion over the last twenty-two years.

However, it is of paramount importance to note that Zimbabwe has remained resolute despite these restrictions.

These were the words of Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa in her address serving as a precursor to the anti-sanctions Gala this morning.

The Anti Sanctions Gala is not only in commemoration of the support of SADC and other countries towards Zimbabwe against the illegally imposed sanctions on her economy and sovereign, but a celebration of Zimbabwe’s resilience against these adversities.

The Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations are scheduled for the 25th of October 2022, which is next week on Tuesday. The order of events is as follows.

“His Excellency, the President Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa will lead the nation in condemning and calling for the removal of the sanctions at an anti-sanctions event at State House on 25 October 2022. Other organizations have planned an anti-sanctions march across the country on the same day,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Later in the evening, Government will host an anti-sanctions gala at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza from 6 pm to 6 am the following day.

Artists such as Madzibaba Nicholas Zacharia, Levels and Fantan, Sandra Ndebele, Andy Muridzo, SulumaniChimbetu, Mike Mahendere, LeornardZhakata, Mathias Mhere and many others will perform at the show.

“But before that, we will also host the SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Summit 2022 (SASS 2022) on 24 October to build momentum towards the anti-sanctions day national activities,” said Senator Mutsvangwa.

Senator Mutsvangwa said in her remarks that Zimbabweans have been surviving in the face of sanctions, meaning to say, they can achieve more once they are removed and together, Zimbabweans should build resilience through economic development, engagement, and re-engagement.

“As you are aware, Zimbabwe has been under illegal sanctions imposed by the United States of America, the European Union, Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada among others since 2001. The sanctions are meant to stifle development, paralyze Government sectors, pauperize Zimbabweans throughthe loss of international markets for manufactured products and preclude the Government from using its own resources to develop and maintain essential infrastructures,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“The Second Republic under the astute leadership of President E.D Mnangagwa has set the country’s economy on the recovery path in a short period of time by formulating and implementing socio-economic development plans that have seen the economy rebounding steadily.

It is therefore imperative that the illegal sanctions should be condemned by all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation since we are all victims,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.