Angola has called for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and the end of the long-standing economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba.
The appeal was delivered by Angola’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Francisco José da Cruz, during a plenary session of the UN General Assembly on Monday, June 17.
Speaking at the debate titled “The Elimination of Unilateral Coercive Measures as a Means of Political and Economic Compulsion,” the Angolan diplomat strongly condemned the continued use of unilateral sanctions, describing them as unjust, irrational, and counterproductive.
“A glaring example of these irrational and unfair measures is the case of Zimbabwe,” said da Cruz.
“For more than two decades, Zimbabwe has suffered from sanctions imposed outside the framework of the UN Security Council, with far-reaching impacts not only on its population but also on neighbouring countries.”
He cited the 2021 report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan, which concluded that the sanctions, including secondary sanctions and over-compliance by foreign entities, had significantly worsened economic and humanitarian challenges in Zimbabwe.
“These measures have undermined the Government’s ability to deliver essential services and improve the lives of its people,” he added.
Turning to Cuba, da Cruz reiterated Angola’s unwavering opposition to what he called an “unjustified” embargo, asserting that the blockade continues to weaken the country’s economic potential and stifle its development efforts.
“Angola has consistently defended the unconditional lifting of the economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba,” he said.
“Unilateral Coercive Measures are directly weakening the capacity of the targeted countries to implement their national development agendas.”
The diplomat emphasized the need for multilateralism and international solidarity, urging UN member states to commit to a global order based on equality, mutual respect, and non-interference.
Angola’s call comes amid growing international criticism of sanctions regimes viewed as politically motivated tools that disproportionately harm civilian populations and impede national sovereignty.
