The resolute stance by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in demanding the immediate removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe was intensified last Friday at a public lecture held at a local hotel. 

At its 39th Summit held in Tanzania, the regional block set 25 October aside as the day on which SADC member states would collectively express solidarity with the government and the people of Zimbabwe in calling for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the United States of America and the European Union.

This year’s event was held under the theme: “Embracing Innovation Towards Vision 2030: The Relentless Fight Against Illegal Sanctions”. The theme speaks to the concerted efforts and initiatives of the Republic of Zimbabwe towards growing the economy through science, technology and innovation, while mitigating the negative impact of illegal sanctions on all facets of life.

What the speakers expressed clearly was that the US and EU sanctions on Zimbabwe are illegal and unilateral as they violate Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, which states that it is only the United Nations that can decide on sanctions against a country. 

The genesis of these sanctions can be traced back to April 2000 when the Parliament of Zimbabwe amended section 16 of the country’s constitution, legalising the land redistribution programme that benefited the indigenous black majority people of the country. Hitherto, about 4 000 white farmers had access to vast swathes of fertile land in the country.

“Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Programme led the United States to impose illegal and unjustified sanctions under the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera) of 2001. In it, the US government instructs the US executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit or guarantee to the government of Zimbabwe, or any cancellation or reduction of indebtedness owed by the government of Zimbabwe to the US or any international financial institution,” explained Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Namibia, Her Excellency Melody Chaurura. Zidera has been described by critics as an evil act against Zimbabwe.

To worsen the situation, there are Executive Sanctions (Executive Order 13288) of March 2003, which have been renewed yearly. “It is clear that these sanctions are all-encompassing, contrary to claims that they are ring-fenced and targeted against a few individuals,” Chaurura further explained, adding that these sanctions should not have been there in the first place as Zimbabwe is being punished for doing what other nations have done and continue to do, that is, possess its natural resources, and use them for the benefit and interest of its people.

The devastating effects of the illegal and unjustified sanctions on Zimbabwe have stifled the economy, and affected the livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe. According to Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, who was in Zimbabwe on a fact-finding mission from 18 to 28 October 2021, the sanctions “…had exacerbated pre-existing social and economic challenges with devastating consequences for the people of Zimbabwe, especially those living in poverty, women, children, elderly, people with disabilities as well as marginalised and other vulnerable groups.” Douhan’s observation is a painful reality for the people of Zimbabwe.

The illegal sanctions have also resulted in the closure of industries, which has led to the loss of jobs and an unprecedented increase in the unemployment rate, standing at more than 80%. Other negative impacts of these illegal sanctions include poor health facilities, collapse of infrastructure, general poverty of the populace, deterioration of education standards, increase in child mortality rate, poor sanitation leading to deadly diseases like diarrhoea and typhoid. Preventable diseases have claimed the lives of innocent citizens, especially children, because of the illegal sanctions. Thousands of students have dropped out of school and colleges because their parents or guardians failed to pay school fees. These illegal sanctions have led to a brain drain in the country, as skilled personnel are compelled by economic hardships at home to look for greener pastures in the diaspora. 

In his presentation, Ambassador Elvis Shiweda, representing the government of Namibia, expressed Namibia’s unwavering support of Zimbabwe in its demand for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions. 

“The sanctions have evidently proved a negative impact on the country’s economy and the well-being of its people, particular the most vulnerable such as women, the elderly and children, and exacerbating existing challenges and hindering development. These illegal sanctions further exacerbate poverty, and have caused untold socio-economic hardship on the people of Zimbabwe. The effects of the unjustified sanctions had spilled over to neighbouring countries, and indeed the entire region is bearing the brunt, as the implementation of the regional integration agenda has also been affected,” Shiweda stated. 

“In this regard, Namibia joins the SADC community, and in particular the government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in observing this important day in our calendar. Furthermore, Namibia continues to reaffirm unwavering solidarity with the government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe in calling for the unconditional lifting of all sanctions that remain imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe,” Shiweda said.

The overarching message from the presentations at the public lecture was that the US and EU must unconditionally lift the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe with immediate effect.

*Professor jairos Kangira is a professor of English at the University of Namibia. E-mail address: kjairos@gmail.com