Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
POLITICAL analysts have condemned the United States of America for double standards after the partial lifting of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe in a development that left 11 individuals and three companies on the embargo list.
The move has been described as a cover-up by political experts who are convinced that Zimbabwe remains under sanctions through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) of 2001.
Analysts described the termination of executive orders that brought illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe by United States President Joe Biden as a non-event considering that ZDERA remains in force.
Dr Tawanda Zinyama said sanctions must be removed in entirety to ensure that Zimbabwe competes with other countries in the global economic space.
“A real issue is an Act of Parliament, ZDERA. If ZDERA is in place, which is the elephant in the room, it clearly states that no American National should vote in favor of any assistance to be extended to Zimbabwe. These executive orders have minimal impact. If we are told today that ZDERA has been repealed, that’s when we can celebrate as Zimbabweans. The question is are we able to access international capital from IMF, WB, and other multilateral institutions and the answer is NO. Then sanctions are intact, and the removal of some of these companies and individuals, these are double standards. What Zimbabweans want is a total removal of sanctions imposed on the country,” he said.
Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement and the Broad Alliance Against Sanctions chairperson, Mr Rutendo Matinyarare said there is nothing to celebrate as long as the country’s President, other government officials and companies are still under the illegal embargo.
“I want to say to people that sanctions have been removed but ZDERA remains, it is not far from the truth,” Matinyarare said.
“There is nothing to celebrate, we need total removal of sanctions, not these double standards by Americans which is a non-event,” said the spokesperson for Broad Alliance Against Sanctions, Ms Sally Ngoni.
The President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Mr Mike Kamungeremu added his voice saying Zimbabwe is handicapped by the illegal embargo.
“It means sanctions still exist. We will continue to call for unconditional removal of sanctions whether on government, individuals or companies, sanctions must go,” he said.
In the statement released Monday, the US government confirmed that some Zimbabwean officials and companies remain under sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016.
