By Archford Chirimudombo
Bindura, (New Ziana) – The African Union (AU) has weighed in to support the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in its push for the lifting of illegal Western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe nearly three decades ago.
In a statement, AU Commission chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the sanctions had affected Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.
The AU’s call coincides with SADC’s Anti-Sanctions Day, marked on October 25 every year, in support of Zimbabwe.
Among other things, Youssouf said the sanctions, imposed to force Zimbabwe to abandon its land reforms, limited the country’s access to international capital markets, and foreign investment.
He said the AU was committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s bid to have the sanctions lifted unconditionally.
In Zimbabwe, as elsewhere in SADC, the Anti-Sanctions Day was being marked on Saturday, under the theme: “Leveraging Regional Integration and Global Partnerships for Economic Transformation beyond Illegal Sanctions.”
The event provides an opportunity for participating countries and stakeholders to examine the relationship between economic restrictions, regional trade, investment and development, while considering how stronger partnerships could expand economic opportunities.
New Ziana
