The African Union (AU) has renewed its call for the “immediate and unconditional lifting of all remaining sanctions” on Zimbabwe, marking this message on the annual Anti-Sanctions Day.
Observed on 25 October, Anti-Sanctions Day was established by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to rally support for ending the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western nations.
In a statement, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, highlighted the detrimental effect these restrictions have had on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development and recovery.
“The remaining sanctions against Harare have a negative impact on the country’s efforts towards socio-economic growth and revival,” the AU’s statement emphasized, urging the international community to remove the punitive measures that have hindered Zimbabwe’s development.
Zimbabwe has faced Western sanctions since 2003, initially imposed in response to alleged human rights abuses and corruption.
Earlier this year, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an order ending certain sanctions programs against Zimbabwe.
However, some restrictions remain, targeting 11 individuals, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, over alleged human rights violations and corruption.
Sanctions have been a long-standing point of contention within the AU and SADC, as leaders across the continent argue that such measures unfairly penalize the Zimbabwean population while stifling economic progress.
The AU’s recent appeal reflects growing pressure on the international community to reconsider sanctions policies that, critics say, exacerbate hardship for ordinary Zimbabweans without achieving meaningful political reforms.
The latest AU statement underscores the importance of renewed diplomatic dialogue and international support to facilitate Zimbabwe’s integration into the global economy.
As the call to lift sanctions gains traction, both African leaders and international observers await potential responses from the U.S. and other Western nations in the coming months.
