Zimbabwe sanctions similar to genocide

Political analysts have described the illegal sanctions as akin to a soft genocide and have refuted claims by the United States of America that the embargoes were targeted on few individuals.

Political analyst, Terrence Chipwanya who spoke to this publication said that the continued imposition of sanctions on certain individuals and entities was a calculated move by the US to cripple the country's economy.

"On 12 December, America imposed sanctions against four Zimbabweans, namely Sandra Mpunga, Emmerson Junior Mnangagwa, Ngobile Magwizi and Obey Chimuka. These four are not just ordinary Zimbabweans but are on the forefront assisting the Government with strategies to bust these illegal sanctions. Imposing sanctions on these people has ripple effects on the economy and everyone would be affected. Sanctions are like a soft genocide as many Zimbabweans have died due to job losses, poverty and sanctions related health issues," said Chipwanya.

Chipwanya added that the US was still pursuing its agenda of making the Zimbabwe's economy scream and alienate the ruling ZANU PF from the masses.

"Everyone whose business is doing well in Zimbabwe is sanctioned by the US. It's like the US only wants the country's economy to fail so that people blame the ruling Party for failing to manage the country's economy. They want to use sanctions to effect regime change in the country," said Chipwanya.

To illustrate how sanctions were not targeted but affecting the generality of Zimbabweans, Chipwanya said that because of the illegal sanctions, Fossil Group was set to retrench 2 000 workers after it was added on the sanctions list.

Another analyst, Mavis Jani, added that the continued imposition of sanctions on influential Zimbabweans and entities would jeopardise the country's engagement and re-engagement policy. Jani further said that the latest sanctions were indicative of the US's insincerity to re-engage with Zimbabwe and its employment of double standards in its conduct.

Political commentator, Hopewell Chin'ono recently concurred that the illegal sanctions were affecting ordinary Zimbabweans and labelled those who justify the existence of the same as fools.

"I have always been opposed to sanctions because ZANU PF elites have looted more under sanctions than they looted before them. It doesn't care anymore. Sanctions are an inconvenience to ZANU PF but they have not helped us as citizens. If l didn't have money when the Masvingo students needed urgent surgery, they could have died because the money raised was blocked because of the sanctions issue. Now only a fool will say that sanctions don't affect ordinary Zimbabweans," said Chin'ono.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Government together with African leaders, have maintained that the US and EU sanctions against Zimbabwe are illegal and unjustified because they violate Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, which states that sanctions can only be decided on by the UN Security Council.