THE Embassy of the United States of America in Harare says the US sanctions on Zimbabwe are affecting only 84 individuals and 56 corporates. The embassy says the rest of the 16 million Zimbabweans are not affected in any way by the restrictions.
In a chain of tweets, the US Embassy says: “The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading.
“U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million-plus. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe.
“U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe.”
Some queried why the truthfulness of the US statement, considering that the 56 entities affected employ thousands of people and have business that affects many other plays down the business chain. Besides, the political elites have still managed to grow even richer inspite of the sanctions.
Opposition leader Daniel Shumba, however, said he concurs with the US Embassy. “We studied the Sanctions issue, and agree that corruption, human rights violations, constitutionalism, and rule of law are the fundamental tenets being demanded. These are already espoused in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and simply need compliance. To this extent the UDA agrees.”
His party, the United Democratic Alliance, recently pulled out of the dialogue process initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing lack of sincerity and the absence of MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa as a handicap.
American President Donald Trump this week extended the sanctions on Zimbabwe by at least another year. In a letter to the US Senate, Mr. Trump said Zimbabwe remained a threat to US foreign policy.
He wrote in his letter: “While the election itself was an improvement over past elections, post-election violence, credible reports of intimidation and clear bias of the electoral commission kept it from being fully free and fair.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has yet to implement the political and economic overhaul required to rebuild its reputation within the international community and dramatically improve its relationship with the United States.
“The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.”