Ramaphosa takes sanctions war to UN
...As ED takes to the podium today
MOREBLESSING MARANGE
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for immediate removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the west saying the measures have caused immense suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans while also burdening neighbouring countries.
South Africa has also been affected by the sanctions on Zimbabwe as millions of locals have taken refuge in the neighbouring country for greener pastures.
Zimbabwe’s economy continue to be weighed down by the sanctions leading to severe unemployment among other challenges.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ramaphosa said the continued sanctions on Zimbabwe were needless.
“The sanctions that are also being applied against South Africa’s neighbour Zimbabwe should also be lifted.
“They’re causing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans but also have a collateral negative impact on neighbouring countries such as my own country, South Africa.”
“As many people around the world are confronted by hunger and want the essential human qualities of cooperation and solidarity must be evident in the actions we take to bridge the divide between wealthy and poor,” he said.
The European Union, Britain, Canada and other countries, have also imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe but have been reviewing them after realizing they were unjust and that Zimbabwe is keen to engage and re-engage with the world under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s foreign policy mantra, “friend to all and enemy to none”
“South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo that was imposed 60 years ago against Cuba.
An embargo that has caused an untold damage to the country’s economy and the people of Cuba as well,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa’s call confirms a report last year by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Alena Douhan, on her visit to Zimbabwe where she said the measures were affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
The call for the removal of sanctions by Ramaphosa comes ahead of October 25, which was declared by SADC as a day of solidarity against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa arrived in New York on Tuesday ahead of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and he is set to address the General Assembly Conference today.
