World
SADC chair calls for complete lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe
In a statement marking SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, Ramaphosa said the sanctions have placed an additional burden on Zimbabwe's people amid global geopolitical and economic challenges.
The Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. (AFP photo)
By: Xinhua News Agency, Journalist @New Vision
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), on Sunday called for the complete and unconditional lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
In a statement marking SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, Ramaphosa said the sanctions have placed an additional burden on Zimbabwe's people amid global geopolitical and economic challenges.
"SADC remains resolute in calling for the complete lifting of sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe," he said.
Ramaphosa stressed the importance of regional integration in promoting prosperity among SADC member states, saying that "sanctions against Zimbabwe are essentially sanctions against the entire SADC region."
Ramaphosa stressed the importance of regional integration in promoting prosperity among SADC member states, saying that "sanctions against Zimbabwe are essentially sanctions against the entire SADC region."
He urged countries that imposed the sanctions to prioritise dialogue to secure their removal, saying Zimbabwe should be given the opportunity to improve the social and economic well-being of its people.
In a statement issued Friday, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern that the sanctions had constrained Zimbabwe's access to international financial systems, deterred foreign direct investment, increased the cost of doing business and severely limited its ability to secure development assistance.
Western sanctions against Zimbabwe date back to the early 2000s, following the country's land reform program that redistributed land from minority white farmers to indigenous black Zimbabweans.
In 2019, SADC designated Oct. 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day to collectively call for the unconditional lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
In a statement issued Friday, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern that the sanctions had constrained Zimbabwe's access to international financial systems, deterred foreign direct investment, increased the cost of doing business and severely limited its ability to secure development assistance.
Western sanctions against Zimbabwe date back to the early 2000s, following the country's land reform program that redistributed land from minority white farmers to indigenous black Zimbabweans.
In 2019, SADC designated Oct. 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day to collectively call for the unconditional lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.