Representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in China have appealed for the unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the U.S. and EU to enable Zimbabwe to develop its economy.

The Zimbabwean Embassy to China said in a statement on October 25, that the sanctions on the landlocked country were imposed in retaliation to the national land reform program. This program was undertaken to consolidate the gains of the liberation war, which among others, included political independence, restoration of human dignity and rights and the reinstatement of the majority to have access to means of production — of which land was a key objective of the liberation struggle.

Anti Sanctions Day

At the 39th Summit of Heads of States and Government of the SADC, which was held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on August 17-18, October 25 was declared as Anti Sanctions Day. This decision was taken in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.

Tanzania Ambassador to China, H.E Mbelwa Kairuki whose country is the current SADC Chairman, said in a statement at a press conference at the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Beijing on October 25 that the decision to hold this day was a decision by the heads of governments that met in Daresalaam Tanzania in August.

According to the statement, there has been a campaign to end sanctions in Zimbabwe for many years, but it seems it’s been falling on deaf ears.

“This is why the heads of state decided we should dedicate this day and not only this year, [but] every year [as Anti Sanctions Day] until the sanctions are removed,” said the statement.

It went on to say that the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe not only affect that country, but also its neighboring countries in the SADC region. Heads of SADC states have decided this should be a sustained campaign and a joint campaign involving many stakeholders, and their voice should be heard.

Sanctions’debilitating effect

According to the statement by Zimbabwe’s Embassy to China, the net effect of the sanctions has been an economic meltdown and humanitarian crisis manifesting in company closures, deindustrialization, loss of jobs and income, deteriorating service delivery in health and social services and breakdown of infrastructure.

Lawrence Kurundai, a Zimbabwean based in China, said sanctions on his country have affected him and his family economically and socially.

“The current situation back home forced me to leave my young family and to seek greener pastures. I’m now employed in China. But I never anticipated that one day I’d have to leave my family just to be able to fend for them. The citizens of Zimbabwe have been polarized, however when we see the SADC heads coming together for our cause, we hope the U.S. and the EU will head to this call.”

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China Lt Gen (Rtd) Dr Martin Chedondo emphasized that the rights of people in Zimbabwe were being trampled upon by those who imposed the sanctions. He said the Zimbabwean Government was not free to do business with the rest of the international community. “The sanctions are unjustified and unfair. Our economy is hamstrung because of sanctions. Sanctions are a weapon of war against the people of Zimbabwe.”

SADC Unity

The Zimbabwean ambassador said all member states in SADC have to play an equal part. If Zimbabwe becomes a weak link, the chain of SADC breaks and objectives will not be achieved. If one country does not perform, it’s going to have a ripple effect on others, hence it is in the interests of the entire SADC, the entire continent of Africa.

The support of SADC was applauded by Zimbabwean people. “I would like to thank SADC for initiating this event internationally. We need their support in letting the world know that we are under sanctions,” said Gift Isaiah Gumbu, a Zimbabwean living in China.

Other SADC ambassadors who attended the event on October 25 were Namibia’s Ambassador to China Dr. George Elia Kaiyamo, in his capacity as SADC outgoing Chairperson, and Zambia’s Ambassador to China Winnie Natala Chibesakunda.