Zimbabwe: Government Organises Anti-Sanctions March

The government of President Emerson Mnangagwa has declared Friday a national holiday so people can travel to the capital, Harare, to take part in anti-sanctions demonstrations. 

The demonstration will be aimed at both the United States and the European Union, who the government blame for the country’s economic woes.

The US instated sanctions on hundreds of Zimbabwean officials back in 2002, including on Mnangagwa himself, over alleged human rights abuses, and the forced seizures of hundreds of white-owned farms.

People have been encouraged not to wear party affiliated clothing, as the government are keen to portray this as a Zimbabwean issue, not a ZANU-PF one.

The US has denied that their sanctions are aimed at Zimbabwe but select businesses and individuals. 

The US Assistant Secretary of State on African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, said in a statement that “[w]e have sanctions against certain individuals and certain corporations… not against the country of Zimbabwe.  There is nothing to stop US businesses from investing in Zimbabwe, from going to Zimbabwe”.

The sanctions against the 65 individuals and 56 companies were reviewed earlier this year.  It was agreed that not enough progress had been made, and they were extended until February 2020, at which there will be another review.