Hosia Mviringi
Way before the United Nations Rapporteur on the Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights to Zimbabwe, Ms Alena Douhan came into the country on a fact-finding mission, Zimbabwe’s position on sanctions has always been crystal clear, that the sanctions are illegal and hurtful.
For 20 years, Zimbabwe has been presenting its case before the United Nations General Assembly, pleading with the world body to recognise these economic embargoes as an illegal act of aggression by a clique of powerful Western nations, to no avail.
The incessant lobbying by the Zimbabwean authorities culminated in the recognition of such by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), resulting in setting aside a day of commemorations to condemn and demand to scrap of the illegal sanctions, on October 25 each year.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a speech yesterday at the ZANU PF 355th Ordinary Session of the Politburo reiterated and amplified the illegality of the Unilateral Coercive Economic measures against the country.
He also amplified the demands of the people to lift the sanctions immediately.
“The sanctions are illegal, unjustified, counter-productive and continue to hinder the people of Zimbabwe from enjoying their fundamental rights to enjoy sovereignty, independence, unfettered development and prosperity,” said President Mnangagwa.
The illegality of the sanctions derives from the fact that the UN did not endorse and thus does not recognise their existence.
The commemorations on October 25, which coincidentally come at the same time as the Party’s 2021 Annual People’s conference, are particularly significant in that they take place while the UN Special Rapporteur on the subject is in Zimbabwe on a fact-finding mission.
Perhaps more important is the fact that the current UN country fact-finding mission is ample confirmation of the illegality of Unilateral sanctions against Zimbabwe.
All hope is that on October 25 the people of Zimbabwe, SADC and Africa at large will rise, this time not to protest, but to celebrate the recognition of the illegality of the sanctions regime by the United Nations, all hoping that a resolution will be passed next year in September to demand the unconditional lifting of the illegal sanctions.
The history of Sanctions against Zimbabwe started back in the year 2001 when the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations received, considered and passed the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which was brought to them by Messrs David Coltart and Tendai Biti.
The treasonous duo, who are the chief architects of the Bill, representing American interests were in protest against the Compulsory Land Acquisition for purposes of resettlement.
The sanctions bill was a response to and a dismal attempt to reverse, or at least stop and delay the historic land reform program.
The land reform program benefited more than 300 000 families and a lot more young Zimbabweans resisted the urge to revolt against the government and are now actively engaged in gainful occupation as farmers.
“Meanwhile, I commend the nation, particularly our young people who continue to resist the use of these sanctions and other manoeuvres as tools of regime change,” said President Mnangagwa.
Remarkable is the way the people of Zimbabwe have managed to come together and resist the urge to revolt against their government especially in the missile of a ravaging scourge of unilateral sanctions.
The government of Zimbabwe has, however, continued to hold on and make tremendous headway in such social interventions as the current road infrastructure rehabilitation program (ERRP2), Water and Sanitation programs, and procurement and rollout of one of the most successful Covid-19 vaccination programs among many others.
The high level of awareness of the hurtful nature of sanctions by the people of Zimbabwe can be largely attributable to the government’s concerted efforts over the years to sensitise, amplify and break down the subject of sanctions for ease of understanding by the ordinary people.
This understanding and buy-in is what has sustained the country.
Zimbabwe can only win the war against illegal sanctions through deliberate acts of national, regional and international solidarity.
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