Sadc Ministers call for immediate lift of illegal sanctions

Local Government ministers from Sadc have reiterated the need to immediately lift illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

In a statement at the end of a Forum held in Luanda, Angola last week the ministers said the sanctions were hindering the country's development.

"The Forum has noted with serious concern the negative impact caused by the sanctions.

"To this end, the Sadc Ministers called for the immediate lifting of these sanctions to accelerate sustainable development in that country," read part of the statement from the Zimbabwean Embassy.

The statement said the forum adopted the Memorandum of Understanding between the forum and the Associations of Local Government in the Sadc region.

"The MoU shall come into force upon the signing of majority of the member states and associations.

"The main thrust of the Memorandum is to strengthen relations and collaboration with a view to having a mutual objective in addressing pertinent local government and governance in the Sadc region," reads the statement.

The meeting reiterated and resolved that the unity among the Associations of Local Governments in the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) members should be supported.

Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo attended the forum.