Remove Zimbabwe sanctions, US, EU told

LESOTHO Prime Minister Motsoahae Thabane has called for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the European Union and the United States.

Addressing the 32nd Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit in Maputo, Mozambique Friday, Thabane said the region was united in calling for the removal of the sanctions.

"Despite limited relaxation of sanctions by countries of the European Union on Zimbabwe, we must continue to call for the lifting of all sanctions against Zimbabwe," he said.

Thabane said the region has always stood together to prevent externally imposed solutions to regional problems and should continue to do so in Zimbabwe.

"Our region has consistently stood together to reject external solutions that seek to undermine the hard-earned political and economic independence of Zimbabwe," he said.

The sanctions were imposed more than a decade ago over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses.

President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party insist Britain pushed the imposition of the sanctions to punish Zimbabwe for its land reform programme.

The Zimbabwean leader also blames the sanctions for the country's economic problems.

Both the EU and the US as well as countries such as Australia New Zealand have indicated they are prepared to remove the sanctions on conditions the country organises free and fair elections.

Zimbabwe is expected to hold fresh elections next year to replace the coalition government which has been in office since 2009.

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