US Ambassador Unfazed by Anti-Sanctions Protestors in Zimbabwe
In a surprising move, the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, has dismissed the anti-sanctions protestors who have been camped outside the US Embassy in Harare for over five years, calling them "just for show". The protestors, under the Broad Alliance Against Sanctions (BAAS), have been living at the embassy’s main entrance since March 2019, demanding the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The sanctions, which were introduced in the 2000s, were lifted in March 2024 by US President Joe Biden, but the US government has since tightened restrictions on a few individuals and entities through the Global Magnitsky Act. This move has left many Zimbabweans feeling frustrated, with the government claiming that the sanctions affect ordinary citizens and should be lifted.
Tremont, however, remains unfazed by the protests, stating that she has not engaged with the protestors and believes that the government already provides enough information about the sanctions. "We hear a lot about the sanctions from the government already without having to engage protestors," she said.
The US Ambassador also dismissed the notion that the sanctions are "illegal", citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the US to regulate its own banks and prevent them from being complicit in corruption. The US has maintained that the sanctions are necessary to prevent corruption and human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
As Zimbabwe prepares for the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25, the country is expected to run under the theme "Embracing Innovation towards Vision 2030: The relentless fight against illegal Sanctions". The event is seen as a way to promote innovation and economic growth in the country, despite the ongoing sanctions.
The standoff between the US and Zimbabwe over the sanctions is likely to continue, with both sides dug in on their positions. For now, it seems that the anti-sanctions protestors will remain at the US Embassy, but it remains to be seen if their efforts will ultimately lead to the lifting of the sanctions.