The African Union (AU) has renewed its long-standing call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe
In a statement released over the weekend, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed concern over the impact of the sanctions on Zimbabwe’s access to international financial systems, foreign investment and development assistance.
The renewed call comes amid long-standing disagreements over sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries.
The measures have been a recurring issue in relations between Zimbabwe and Western governments, with Harare and its regional allies arguing that they have harmed the country’s economy.
However, the term unilateral sanctions covers measures imposed outside a collective United Nations sanctions framework, and the specific restrictions differ by country and legal basis. The AU statement did not identify individual sanctions or announce any new measures.
He emphasized that the unilateral sanctions have significantly constrained Zimbabwe’s access to international financial systems, deterred foreign direct investment, increased the cost of doing business, and severely limited the country’s ability to secure development assistance.
Youssouf noted that the sanctions have severely undermined progress towards achieving the country’s Vision 2030, SADC’s regional macro-economic convergence and integration targets, the AU’s Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The AU reaffirmed its continued commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in mobilizing efforts for the lifting of the unilateral sanctions and joining efforts with the Southern African Development against the Southeastern African country.
MG/as/APA