NEW: Zimbabwe wants to be a friend to all: President

Online Reporter

President Mnangagwa has paid tribute to SADC, the African Union and friendly nations who have joined Zimbabwe in calling for the removal of unilateral sanctions imposed against the country by the West.

Addressing the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, President Mnangagwa called for removal of the unilateral coercive measures, saying Zimbabwe was a peace-loving country that wants to be “a friend to all and enemy to none”.

“We remain indebted to the SADC region and the African Union, as well as other progressive members in the community of nations for their unwavering support and calls for the removal of these unwarranted and unjustified sanctions,” he said.

“We once again call for their immediate and unconditional removal. My country welcomes the findings of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of the Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, who visited Zimbabwe in 2021.”

Zimbabwe, the President said, had, however, managed to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global recession, as well as forge ahead with socio-economic development despite the yoke of sanctions.

“Despite the illegal economic sanctions, Zimbabwe successfully implemented its Covid-19 National Response Strategy, anchored largely by our own internal resources and institutional capacities,” he said.

“The pro-active approach by my administration enabled the country to achieve high vaccination rates, which extended to children up to 12 years.”

Zimbabwe, he added, remains committed to the re-engagement agenda.

“At the international level, Zimbabwe has adopted an Engagement and Re-Engagement Policy.

“This policy is underpinned by the principles of mutual understanding and respect, cooperation, partnership, and shared values with other members of the international community. We desire to be ‘a friend to all and an enemy to none’.”