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Mnangagwa calls US, EU to unconditionally lift sanctions
13 Feb 2019 at 08:42hrs | Views
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) to unconditionally lift travel and trade sanctions imposed on the country, saying his administration was doing its bests for its citizens.
In an interview with French broadcaster France 24 at the weekend, Mnangagwa said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe 18 years ago were hurting ordinary people.
"We are already suffering under sanctions, these Zidera and EU sanctions and we are saying they are hurting our people, we have been calling on them to go for the past 18 years and we are not changing. We have not offended anybody what we are doing is good for our people, it's good for Zimbabwe," he said.
Mnangagwa said the sanctions were part of the regime change agenda to force Zimbabweans to rise against their government.
"You are aware that Zimbabwe has been subjected to regime change throughout, we are struggling against sanctions imposed by the West up to today by the EU and US, these sanctions are still there, they have not been removed," Mnangagwa said.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has backed Mnangagwa's call for the lifting of the sanctions, according to a statement released by the regional bloc's chairperson Namibian President Hage Geingob.
"The Sadc Heads of State and government further noted that the government efforts to transform the economy and bring about prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe are negatively affected by the illegal sanctions that are imposed on the country since 2000… calls upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country," the statement read.
The EU has, however, been clear that they will only extend aid to Mnangagwa's government on condition the country has implemented tangible political and economic reforms.
In an interview with French broadcaster France 24 at the weekend, Mnangagwa said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe 18 years ago were hurting ordinary people.
"We are already suffering under sanctions, these Zidera and EU sanctions and we are saying they are hurting our people, we have been calling on them to go for the past 18 years and we are not changing. We have not offended anybody what we are doing is good for our people, it's good for Zimbabwe," he said.
Mnangagwa said the sanctions were part of the regime change agenda to force Zimbabweans to rise against their government.
"You are aware that Zimbabwe has been subjected to regime change throughout, we are struggling against sanctions imposed by the West up to today by the EU and US, these sanctions are still there, they have not been removed," Mnangagwa said.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has backed Mnangagwa's call for the lifting of the sanctions, according to a statement released by the regional bloc's chairperson Namibian President Hage Geingob.
"The Sadc Heads of State and government further noted that the government efforts to transform the economy and bring about prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe are negatively affected by the illegal sanctions that are imposed on the country since 2000… calls upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country," the statement read.
The EU has, however, been clear that they will only extend aid to Mnangagwa's government on condition the country has implemented tangible political and economic reforms.
Source - newsday
