NEW: AU chair Macky Sall reiterates call for Zim sanctions removal 

21 Sep, 2022 - 13:09 0 Views
NEW: AU chair Macky Sall reiterates call for Zim sanctions removal 

The Sunday Mail

Online Reporter 

African Union (AU) chairperson and Senegalese President Macky Sall has reiterated the call for Western countries to remove unilateral and illegal economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying the “harsh measures” are aggravating the suffering of Zimbabweans, particularly at a time of global upheaval caused by armed conflict, pandemics and climate change.

President Sall becomes the second African Head of State in a week to call for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe after South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa made a similar call to US President Joe Biden during a working visit to Washington on Friday.

Addressing delegates at the ongoing 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday, the AU chair noted that sanctions were an injustice against the people of Zimbabwe.

“Furthermore, the African Union once again calls for the lifting of foreign sanctions against Zimbabwe,” he said.

“These harsh measures continue to fuel a sense of injustice against an entire people, and to aggravate their suffering in these times of deep crisis.”

The continental body has been actively lobbying for the removal of the two-decade-old sanctions, which are also affecting the region, and were imposed after the land reform programme at the turn of the millennium.

The United Nations recently endorsed findings and recommendations contained in the final report of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Professor Alena Douhan, calling for the unconditional removal of the measures as they were infringing on human rights.

SADC has since earmarked October 25 of every year as the Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day, where several activities would be lined up in the region.

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