Sanctions divide Zimbabweans along partisan lines

Zimbabweans found themselves divided along partisan lines regarding sanctions. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga claimed that the country had lost over US$150 billion in 20 years due to sanctions. In response to the United States and European countries imposing "restrictive measures" on the country after the 2000 land reform exercise and human rights violations, Zimbabwe successfully lobbied the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union to declare October 25 as Zimbabwe's Anti-Sanction Day.

The government mobilized civil servants and youths to march in Harare against sanctions, while the opposition party ignored the day and used digital platforms to highlight the impacts of corruption by the ruling elites. The protesters, led by permanent secretaries, marched in the Central Business District from Munhumutapa building along Samora Machel Avenue to Africa Unity Square.

Speaking to the gathered crowd at Africa Unity Square, Chiwenga stated that Zimbabwe had lost billions of United States dollars since the imposition of sanctions. He argued that these sanctions had caused the country's Gross Domestic Product to significantly contract over two decades and had a direct impact on Zimbabwe's currency.

Chiwenga claimed that the United States sanctions, particularly under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, aimed to induce a change of government in Zimbabwe and unfairly tilted the electoral playing field by supporting regime change agents against the will of the people.

While Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development leader Trust Chikohora called on Zimbabweans to unite against sanctions and corruption, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) chose to refer to October 25 as Anti-Corruption Day to counter the Anti-Sanctions narrative.

The CCC emphasized the role of corruption in Zimbabwe's economic challenges, pointing out that it began in the 1980s and had eroded public trust in the government, reduced investor confidence, hindered economic growth, and discouraged foreign investment.

During the anti-sanctions commemorations by the Zimbabwe Against Sanctions Trust, the deputy ambassador of the State of Palestine expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, urging the unconditional lifting of the economic embargo. Similarly, the Cuban chargé d'affaires pledged solidarity in the fight against sanctions and demanded justice for Zimbabwe in the same way Zimbabwe supported Palestine in opposing Israeli actions.