Harare, Zimbabwe — The recent developments in the U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe have sparked a range of reactions within the country’s political landscape. While many Zimbabweans and companies saw sanctions lifted, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and a select few senior leaders faced new sanctions, drawing mixed feelings from the political class.
The sanctions, initially imposed in 2001 for alleged election rigging and human rights abuses, have been a contentious issue for Zimbabwe. The recent changes by Washington have been met with both praise and criticism from various quarters.
Zimbabwe government spokesman Nick Mangwana took to social media to express his approval of the removal of sanctions against many Zimbabweans and companies, hailing it as a “great vindication” of Mnangagwa’s foreign policy. However, he noted that with Mnangagwa and some companies still under sanctions, Zimbabwe as a whole continues to be affected by what he termed as “illegal sanctions.”
On the other hand, Rutendo Matinyarare, chairman of the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement, welcomed the changes, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the country’s economy. He highlighted the opportunities that would now be available for Zimbabwe to borrow money, invest in machinery, and facilitate payment clearances. Despite the progress, Matinyarare acknowledged the need to address the remaining sanctions on the president, businesspeople, and ministers, calling for legal action to have them removed.
The debate surrounding the impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe’s economy has been ongoing, with the government attributing economic struggles to the sanctions while critics point to corruption and poor policies as the root causes. Lloyd Damba, spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, sees the lifting of most sanctions as an opportunity to expose the shortcomings of the ruling ZANU-PF party, particularly in addressing corruption and incompetence.
Tafadzwa Manenji, an independent international relations commentator, raised concerns about the implications of keeping the president under sanctions, noting that it could have broader repercussions for the country as a whole. The decision by President Joe Biden to terminate the official U.S. state of emergency regarding Zimbabwe’s government actions and policies, first imposed in 2003, marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two countries.
As Zimbabwe navigates the complexities of the evolving sanctions regime, the impact on its political and economic landscape remains a topic of intense debate and scrutiny. The removal of sanctions against many Zimbabweans and companies signals a new chapter for the country, but the challenges posed by the remaining sanctions on key figures underscore the complexities of international relations and the delicate balance between diplomacy and accountability.