The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
SOUTHERN AFRICAN countries will this Wednesday act in solidarity with Zimbabwe to amplify the growing lobby for the removal of sanctions imposed on her by some Western nations.
The annual commemorations were set aside by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at its 39th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2019 to mobilise a united regional voice in denouncing and calling for the removal of the debilitating measures.
President Mnangagwa will on Wednesday deliver a televised speech to mark Anti-Sanctions Day, headlining a series of local activities that will be conducted on the day.
SADC chairperson and Angolan President João Lourenço and individual countries from the region are also expected to issue statements to mark the day in solidarity with Zimbabwe.
Civil servants and learners across the country will march in commemoration of the day.
This year’s theme is “Harnessing the youth for accelerated socio- economic development in the fight against sanctions”.
In an interview, Angolan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Agostinho Tavares Da Silva Neto, whose country currently chairs SADC, said the entire region was solidly behind Harare in calling for the removal of the sanctions.
“This is a very important day for the entire SADC region, to reflect on the negative impact that the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have caused to the ordinary people, children, women, the elderly, people with
disabilities and the country as a whole. This has not spared the countries in the region in terms of free trade, attracting investments aimed at improving road and railway infrastructures, air connections, as well as the movement of people and goods,” he said.
“The Republic of Angola reiterates its support and solidarity to the brotherly people and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Angola strongly condemns the illegal and unjust sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. The sanctions mainly affect ordinary citizens and must be removed immediately,” he added.
SADC Secretariat head of communication and public relations Ms Barbara Lopi told this publication that Angola’s President and SADC chairperson President Lourenço will deliver a statement in commemoration of the day.
She said: “Kindly note that the SADC chairperson will issue a statement on October 25 and we will share that . . .”
In a recent statement, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said the day will be commemorated countrywide, with numerous activities lined up.
“On October 25, 2023, His Excellency President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa will give a televised speech on Anti-Sanctions Day,” the statement said.
“Civil Servants will march from Munhumutapa Building and congregate at Africa Unity Square. Minister of Foreign Affairs (and International Trade), Ambassador Fredrick Shava will be in attendance. One Vice President (either VP Chiwenga or VP Mohadi) is expected to grace and address the gathering.”
The ministry is set to host a two-day SADC anti-sanctions solidarity summit in Mutoko, headlined by a media indaba and business expo.
A musical gala is also expected to be held in Mt Darwin in commemoration of the day.
“An anti-sanctions summit will take place in Mutoko and learners in all provinces are expected to march,” the statement added.
“All roads will lead to Dotito Primary School for the music show where 17 artistes are expected to entertain revellers.”
African leaders recently took advantage of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to call for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the US to remove the sanctions and said they had caused untold suffering to the people of Zimbabwe, with the illegal embargo also affecting neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the same event, Namibian President Hage Geingob said the punitive and illegal sanctions were an obstacle to sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has been under sanctions from the United States and the European Union (EU) under the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001.
The EU also introduced its own sanctions in February 2002.
A study commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade estimates that the country could have lost up to US$42 billion in revenue over the past 20 years due to the sanctions.
