The United States has terminated its two-decade-long broad Zimbabwe sanctions programme while simultaneously reimposing curbs on 11 individuals – including President Emmerson Mnangagwa – and three entities with links to the Harare establishment.
In a significant policy shift on Monday, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) “terminating the national emergency with respect to Zimbabwe and revoking the EOs that have authorised Zimbabwe-specific sanctions” since March 2003.
“As a result, the economic sanctions administered by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) pursuant to the Zimbabwe sanctions programme are no longer in effect,” the US Treasury said in a statement.
Fresh sanctions have been imposed on 11 individuals and three entities, among them President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, intelligence chief and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
Business entities that were slapped with sanctions are energy firm Sakunda Holdings, agricultural firm Fossil Agro and construction company Fossil Contracting.
The targeted individuals and entities are accused of fuelling human right abuses and involvement in corrupt activities that are depriving Zimbabweans of access to basics.
Treasury deputy secretary Wally Adeyemo said the US was “deeply concerned about democratic backsliding, human rights abuses and government corruption in Zimbabwe.”
“The changes we are making today are intended to make clear what has always been true: our sanctions are not intended to target the people of Zimbabwe,” Adeyemo said in a statement.
He added: “Today we are refocusing our sanctions on clear and specific targets: President Mnangagwa’s criminal network of government officials and businesspeople who are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe.”
He said the changes to the US approach would provide an opportunity for the Zimbabwean government to undertake key reforms to improve its record on human rights, good governance, and anti-corruption.
The move underscores Washington’s nuanced approach to engage with Harare while addressing concerns related to governance and human rights issues within the southern African nation.
The US sanctions were first imposed in 2003 in retaliation to alleged human rights abuses and stolen elections that saw former president Robert Mugabe controversially winning polls held the previous year ahead then main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
JN/APA