Letwin Mubonesi
Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) countries have declared October 25 as solidarity day against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries and on that day to call for the immediate removal of the sanctions on Zimbabwe. SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said this at the 39th SADC Summit Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania recently.
After the declaration, South Africa’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC) started the journey and urged all its structures to organise activities on October 25 to send an unequivocal message against the embargo.
This was announced by ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule when he was addressing a Press conference at Luthuli House in Johannesburg. He said the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) met on September 25 and resolved to join the rest of the SADC countries in staging the anti-sanctions solidarity activities.
Magashule said, “The NEC met on 25th September and made a call to end the global sanctions on Zimbabwe, our neighbour. The day of solidarity will be the 25th of October 2019 and all ANC and Alliance structures are requested to mobilise activities on this day. It will happen throughout SADC.”
Meanwhile, ZANU PF secretary for Administration Doctor Obert Mpofu revealed that preparations for the anti-sanctions day were at an advanced stage.
“Some departments such as the Commissariat Department, information and other wings have been giving us reports on progress that has been made so far towards preparing for this great function. As you might be aware, we hosted a very successful meeting of Former Liberation Movements in Victoria Falls where this matter came in our agenda. The SADC member states expressed their tremendous support to Zimbabwe on the sanctions imposed on us,” said Dr Mpofu.
In a communiqué read out to mark the end of the 39th SADC Summit of the Heads of State and Government, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe were militating against economic growth, not only in the country, but also in the region.
“Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country. Summit declared the 25 October as the date on which SADC member states can collectively voice their disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions are lifted,” said Doctor Tax.
SADC chair Tanzanian President Dr John Magufuli also noted that these sanctions are not only affecting Zimbabwe but the entire region hence there is need to join hands calling off for the removal of sanctions as SADC countries.
“It is like a human body: when you chop one of its parts, it affects the whole body. Therefore, I would like to seize this opportunity to urge the international community to lift up sanctions it imposed on Zimbabwe. This brotherly country, after all, has now opened a new chapter and it is ready to engage with the rest of the world.
It is, therefore, I believe, in the interest of all parties concerned to see these sanctions removed. In this respect, I wish also to urge all SADC member states to continue to speak with one voice on the issue of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Add comment