US Congress moves to repeal ZDERA sanctions on Zimbabwe

The United States has formally begun legislative processes to repeal the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA), a sanctions law in place since 2001 that has limited Harare's access to international financial support for nearly 25 years. The proposed repeal has been officially tabled before the House of Representatives, marking a key step towards debate, amendment, and eventual voting.

The repeal provision is part of the broader Department of State Policy Provisions Act, sponsored by Republican Representative Brian Mast of Florida. The legislation seeks to dismantle ZDERA, which has enabled Washington to block Zimbabwe from receiving loans, debt relief, or financial assistance from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, effectively restricting development financing for more than two decades.

Political analyst Dr David Makwerere of Bindura University described the move as a welcome development. "Repealing ZDERA will significantly improve our relations, particularly with the Western bloc, and represents a major step toward mending ties and enhancing cooperation with the United States," he said, adding that progress also reflects Zimbabwe's own efforts, including compensation payments to former white commercial farmers affected by the land reform programme.

According to the official US Congress Bill Tracker, the legislation, designated H.R. 5300, cleared the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 18, 2025, by a narrow 27-24 vote after technical amendments. Its tabling before the full House now allows it to move into the next stage of the legislative process.

Executive director of Citizens Against Economic Sanctions, Martin Zharare, welcomed the move but emphasized that the repeal should proceed without conditions. "Zimbabweans have stood with their Government, and the sanctions have failed to achieve their intended results. They should be removed unconditionally," he said.

The repeal Bill carries significant implications, signaling the clearest shift in decades that the US may reconsider its sanctions framework on Zimbabwe. ZDERA has historically shaped US policy toward Zimbabwe, influenced the positions of international lenders, and guided broader Western engagement with the country.

If passed, the legislation will first be debated and voted on in the House, before moving to the Senate, where it may undergo further hearings and amendments. Both chambers must approve a unified version before it is sent to the President for signature or veto. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

While the proposed repeal eliminates most ZDERA restrictions, it introduces new conditions related to Zimbabwe's land reform legacy. Washington will not support fresh IMF or World Bank funding for Zimbabwe unless the Government commits to fully compensating white former commercial farmers under the Global Compensation Deed. Over US$20 million has already been paid to date. The Bill stipulates that failure to comply within 12 months would result in the cessation of US support for further funding from these institutions.

The Department of State Policy Provisions Act, which contains the ZDERA repeal, is a comprehensive legislative package covering a wide range of foreign policy and national security issues, from countering China and managing artificial intelligence to embassy security and public diplomacy.

The formal introduction of the Bill in the House represents a pivotal moment in US-Zimbabwe relations, potentially paving the way for the first major overhaul of the sanctions framework since ZDERA was enacted in 2001.